THE LEADING sector of the Eastern Cape economy, the automotive industry, has shown strong growth in output, investment and exports over 2001, according to premier Makhenkesi Stofile. In his state of the province address, he said “the driving force behind this growth has been the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), the ease of access to export markets through our ports, the undervalued Rand and confidence in the Eastern Cape leadership and community. Our three major assemblers are all making major investments and the catalytic converter cluster is taking off in Port Elizabeth, with several new investments. Other automotive component manufacturers are also setting up or expanding. Exports of the sector have grown from four per cent of provincial production in the mid-90’s to 19 per cent now. The Eastern Cape now accounts for more than half of South Africa’s automotive industry.” Other manufacturing sectors are also growing, according to Stofile: “The clothing and textile industry has been subject to massive restructuring, increased capitalization and job losses. However, there is new evidence that exports and employment are starting to grow. Other manufacturing sub sectors, such as food-processing, are also increasing exports.” Other industries experiencing growth include “Information and Communications Technology (ICT): particularly through improved access to telecommunications. Horticulture: Output is growing on the back of increased export demand. Provincial output of citrus, for example, has grown at a trend rate of seven per cent a year over the last few years. Investment is buoyant in game farming, hunting lodges and private nature reserves,” he said.