Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) CEO Kevin Wakeford says that the province’s untapped markets and low cost of entry continues to make the province an attractive destination for investors.

This was the message from Wakeford who returned last week from the UK after presenting to high powered group of delegates in the UK, many of which were en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“And the sectors of major interest are property, automotive, healthcare and agriculture,” explains Wakeford.

“The Eastern Cape is a frontier province. It appeals to investors who want to get in on the ground level and have the appetite for moderate risk. It’s the dream investment destination for the right investor,” he said.

Some of the investors already have existing investments in Gauteng and Western Cape.

Interest in the property sector covers the traditional investments as well as those related to tourism. The Port St John’s area, in particular, is attracting interest.

Interest is being shown in healthcare service including general healthcare, hospitals, clinics and medical aids.

An opportunity being investigated by foreign investors is in the assembly of agricultural equipment. It would also include partnering with small scale black farmers in order to build their capacity.

Wakeford also talked about the East London Industrial Development Zone which is expected to develop into formidable vehicle processing and assembling hub.

There are some exciting opportunities in bus assembly which is seen to be the next “big” automotive opportunity.

Delegates also responded well to Coega CEO Pepi Silinga who presented on the potential of the Port of Ngqura as a transshipment hub and opportunities in the “south seas of the world”.

The conference which included a line-up of some of the continent’s most senior financiers from Barclays and Goldman Sachs Africa as well as South Africa’s deputy reserve governor, amongst others, was “an exercise of information sharing where we achieved a convergence of opinion about opportunities in South Africa.”

Wakeford added that the consensus of conference delegates was that “SA is one of the blue chip investment destinations in the emerging sector.”

“Our fundamentals are sound. With the outlook for metals and resources upbeat, most commentators say South Africa is set for a sustainable boom which could last between 20 and 30 years.”

Experts say South Africa has reached market maturity. Indicative of this maturity is that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the most active of all exchanges on the continent and amongst the busiest in the world.

The only other province present was Gauteng who was represented by CEO of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency Dr Carl Niehaus.