Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Africa
Economy
Other

W Cape to establish dedicated infrastructure agency

17 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

The Western Cape has identified Investment in infrastructure as key to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs in the province and has put in place several initiatives to support this strategy.

During his State of the Province Address (Sopa) today, Premier Alan Winde said that to reduce the impact of budget cuts, the province would build up a portfolio of investment projects that could attract private finance where appropriate.

“Borrowing for infrastructure investment will require high-quality project preparation, and once a project is identified, will undergo technical work including bankability and feasibility studies. 

“This process will complement our work to launch a dedicated infrastructure agency that can contract and borrow money as a 3D entity, as defined in the PFMA. We will shortly be appointing a panel of infrastructure finance experts who will take forward the technical work to establish this entity. This is a long-term project that we aim to complete within the current term of office,” he said. 

Wesgro, through its investment facilitation services, collaborative partnerships, and the Invest SA One-Stop Shop, would continue to attract investors, with the objective of securing up to R285 billion of investment over the next year, he added. 

“The Atlantis SEZ company, has now been established and has secured investments totalling R680 million, covering 25 hectares of the 120-hectare economic zone. 

“We will work to cement our position as the leading green economy in Africa by building on the billions of rands worth of investments secured for the Western Cape last year as a result of Wesgro and GreenCape’s collaboration.” 

Winde pointed out that despite the tough economic times, agriculture had been a shining light, achieving record-breaking harvests and excellent exports thanks to good rain and pioneering work on agricultural technology. 

“We will leverage our agricultural economy for growth and recovery as a key priority in the year ahead, using agricultural technology to push forward growth.

 “Drone technology in particular is assisting the Western Cape increase both animal and crop production, as well as expertly monitoring crop and soil health across the province. For this reason, the Department of Agriculture is embracing this technology, supporting 13 drone pilots to get their licences - with a second group getting their “wings” by the end of March.” 

Underpinning these development goals is the availability of power supply.

“The Western Cape continues its work to be the first province to beat loadshedding. We have committed R20 million per year for the next two years to roll out the Western Cape Government’s Municipal Energy Resilience Programme. As part of the first phase, DEDAT and the Departments of Local Government and Treasury, have undertaken an assessment process of all municipalities to determine their readiness. We have also procured the technical expertise that will help our municipalities to become energy resilient.”

Export growth in the agricultural sector, he added, had shown remarkable resilience, growing by 49% quarter-on-quarter. 

“To leverage this growth, we will continue with our virtual trade missions to the rest of Africa and key export markets around the world, and seek to sign up to R4.25 billion in trade deals for our province.” 

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

MSC confirms weekly continuation of SA-US direct sailings

Sea Freight

In total, eight vessels will be deployed for the express service to America's East Coast.

27 May 2025
0 Comments

DP World plans $2.5 bn expansion

Infrastructure
Logistics

From Ecuador to England and Senegal to India the company is growing its global logistics network through infrastructure investment.

27 May 2025
0 Comments

Box ship sinks off Kochi coast, raising dangerous cargo alarms

Sea Freight

The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy successfully evacuated all 24 crew.

27 May 2025
0 Comments

OPINION: Who’s leading the charge in SA's supply chain digital revolution?

Logistics
Technology
Trade/Investment

The report highlights a clear shift from reactive supply chain strategies to predictive and proactive models, powered by real-time data and AI.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

South Africa will dodge 30% tariff bullet – Steenhuisen

Imports and Exports
Trade/Investment
26 May 2025
0 Comments

Import activity picks up as April’s tariff threat settles

Imports and Exports

One respondent described the situation as an existential threat to the viability of their business.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

DBSA invests R100 million in Charge’s EV plans

Road/Rail Freight
Technology

Each charging station will be completely off-grid, powered by solar energy and battery storage.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

RFA conference spotlights burning issues

Events
Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

Shifting freight to rail, using AI to combat driver fatigue, and the impact of looming B-BBEE rules in focus.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

Delays are part of the price for security

Logistics
Technology

The PLACI data is used to assess the potential aviation security risk posed by the consignment.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

Teta summit a wellspring of freight forwarding insights

Logistics

Several dignitaries are scheduled to attend the summit, including Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

26 May 2025
0 Comments

New salt storage facility opened at the Port of Walvis Bay

Infrastructure
Logistics

Dust pollution from the Namib Desert became a threat to Walvis Bay Salt.

23 May 2025
0 Comments

Creecy announces R51bn guarantee for Transnet

Logistics

The government facility aims to support the ports and rail operator on its journey to economic and operational recovery.

23 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Namibia 23 May 2025

Border Beat

BMA steps in to help DG and FMCG cargo at Groblersbrug
21 May 2025
The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

JNR Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Johannesburg (Linbro Park)
28 May
New

Supply Chain Specialist

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
28 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us