Port Elizabeth’s continued boom received further impetus with the announcement by the Nelson Mandela Metropole that it is to build a R400 million international conference centre on the beachfront.

This project takes the value of investments announced for this area during March to over R1 billion. Other projects include a R700 million residential and entertainment development between Bluewater Bay and St George’s Strand and the R50 million shopping centre for Kwadwesi.

The conference facility will have the capacity for 900 delegates in retractable seats.

Although a site has not been finalized, three options are under consideration – the harbour, Kings Beach and the area near the Something Good roadhouse.

All the necessary environmental studies would be carried out and regulations adhered to.

One of the negative aspects raised was the lack of sufficient accommodation to house prospective delegates.

Percci chief executive Alfred da Costa said the centre would contribute significantly to job creation especially in the construction phase and would also bring tourism conferences to the city.

An estimated 5 400 jobs would be created during the construction phase.

Another multi-million development project is the Madiba Bay wildlife project to be developed on 6 000 hectares and 30km of coastline between Cape Recife and Schoemakerskop.