THE GOVERNMENT is "confident" that the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) "is attracting significant interest from large investors," says Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin. Introducing the debate on his departmental policy in the National Council of Provinces, the minister said that the East London and Coega ports "will undoubtedly position the Eastern Cape as one of the key competitive areas in South Africa". A new deep-water port is being built at the Coega IDZ outside Port Elizabeth, while the port of East London is being upgraded to cater for the neighbouring East London Industrial Development Zone. Noting that the Eastern Cape was the hub of SA's auto industry, Erwin said that “as the country is improving its export performance in the context of an integrated manufacturing strategy, the province has the potential to increase its contribution to the manufacturing sector”.