E Cape exports treble the national average

Transport infrastructure developments add impetus Ed Richardson EXPORTS FROM the Eastern Cape have been growing at three times the national average over the past six years, according to the annual report of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). Figures released in the report show that exports from the province grew from R3,9 billion in 1996 to R21,9 billion in 2002. This is an annual average growth rate of exports of 46.6%, compared to 16.7% for South Africa as a whole (according to SARS data). Exports helped boost economic growth in the province to well above the national average. The annual report shows that the South African economy grew by 2,8% in 2001 (3,5% in 2000) while the Eastern Cape saw real growth rates of 5,3% in 2001 (6,2% in 2000). Investment in transport infrastructure will provide a further boost to the province. The Eastern Cape will record the largest increase of 94,2% or R2,8 billion in capital expenditure on new construction works in 2003 thanks to the Coega and East London industrial development zones, according to the report. ECDC chief executive officer Mcebisi Jonas says progress is being made on addressing infrastructural backlogs elsewhere in the province. Work has started on the rehabilitation of the Umtata to East London line and the establishment of a timber siding at Umtata. Government is looking at fully electrifying the East London to Gauteng line. The provincial government has spent R2.5-billion on roads, many of them in the former homelands, over past three years. It has budgeted R5.3-billion for a five-year programme of road upkeep and renewal. One of the major developments is a planned Wild Coast Toll Road.