ECDC drives more investment, doubles tradeECDC announces its annual results for 2010/2011. Read More...
 
Next stop – London, Glasgow - for Eastern Cape exhibitionOn 14 September, the Eastern Cape’s photographic exhibition, featuring some of South Africa’s most spectacular natural beauty, goes on view in Glasgow and London.. Read More...
 
ECDC's Mase on the province's 2011 EC economic prospectsECDC CEO is optimistic following huge investments into the auto sector in both of the province’s urban hubs.. Read More...
 
General Motors investments over R500 million in SA plantAfter improving volumes to 32 000 in 2010, the company is gearing to volumes to 50 000 for 2011.. Read More...
 
Joule fleet now ready for marketing, testingFour marketing vehicles will be used in demonstration.. Read More...
 
East London plant now "three-times a winner"Another plant General Motors in Port Elizabeth takes third place.. Read More...
 
ECDC’s Mase on the province’s 2011 EC economic prospectsECDC is optimistic about automotive developments and opportunities in green energy sector. Read More...
 
Infrastructure underdevelopment threat to Eastern Cape’s agro-processing sectorECDC unpacks the challenges of infrastructure in the province as its plans to diversify from the automotive sector. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape SMMEs feel the impact of ECDC supportOnke Mankahla, a partner in three Debonairs franchises in Mthatha, is one of the budding youth entrepreneurs financed by ECDC in 2009/2010. . Read More...
 
Another PE casino in expansion plansEmfuleni Resorts, together with its partners Sun International and Zonwabise Resort Holdings, are to invest R1-billion into building a new five-star hotel, an international standard convention centre and a adding a new casino at the Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth.. Read More...
 
Stellenbosch University’s outreach programme launched in the Eastern CapeThe HOPE Project of Stellenbosch University (SU) offers alumni various opportunities of supporting their alma mater and helping to address South Africa’s problems. . Read More...
 
EC finalist announced in business launchpad competitionNoludwe Ncokazi, ECDC executive manager development services. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape women finalists feature strongly in entrepreneur competitionEastern Cape business women are holding their own in male dominated sectors such as construction, information and communications technology and the green industries, says SMME Business LaunchPad Competition on the announcement of the province’s finalists.. Read More...
 
Women drive operations in PE terminalsThe days when ports used to be a man’s world are slowly diminishing as women at Transnet Port Terminals’ Port Elizabeth terminal assume key positions in this previously male dominated maritime environment.. Read More...
 
Film industry touted as competitive advantage for Eastern CapeCEO says its heritage is strength for developing the Eastern Cape’s untapped film industry. Read More...
 
NMB women walk away with farming awardsPort Elizabeth City Hall was filled with song as more than 20 women walked away with cash rewards for excelling in the provincial department of agriculture female farming entrepreneur awards last week.. Read More...
 
GMSA looks to local production for SparkThe new Spark is one of the "top candidates" for possible local production at General Motors South Africa's (GMSA's) Port Elizabeth operations, says GMSA president and MD Edgar Lourencon. . Read More...
 
International exposure unprecedentedWakwa Luphondwana who is responsible for the Eastern Cape Hub, in Humewood, where the fans get a daily taste of Eastern Cape customs, food and opportunities and can catch all games on big screens, said the EC Hub was also playing a role in connecting people from across the globe.. Read More...
 
EC tourism promotion to score on soccer WCPhotographic extravaganza for the Eastern Cape. Read More...
 
Alicedale farmer takes his farming heritage down a different roadAn Eastern Cape man with a dream, a bakkie and a handful of farm workers has managed to successfully transform his farm outside Alicedale into a thriving olive farming and processing centre.. Read More...
 
EC media house makes leadership announcementsJeremy McCabe is to run a newly created production hub which will serve Avusa’s titles in the province.. Read More...
 
Photographic spectacular for Germany's rail travellersGlobe trotting photographic exhibition features 40 images including to iconic Eastern Cape must-sees such as the Hole-in-the-Wall in Pondoland and the Valley of Desolation in the Karoo.. Read More...
 
Coega’s Gasa get presidential commission’s voteBridgette is the only member of the commission from the Eastern Cape.. Read More...
 
Uitenhage-based OEM scores state subsidiesInvestments of more than R5-billion by Volkswagen SA in Uitenhage have been approved by the government, meaning they will qualify for state subsidies. . Read More...
 
EC ahead in economic growthThe Eastern Cape’s economy is currently showing the fasted growth in the country.. Read More...
 
Co-operation on SA’s shoresTwo of SA’s premier tourist attractions have cemented a relationship that could see visitors get a more holistic experience of the country’s culture and beauty.. Read More...
 
Local property market sees growthEC's already stable property market is showing signs of major growth in the near future.. Read More...
 
Exports are the key to APDP incentives for GMSAGeneral Motors SA is to invest R700-million in its Port Elizabeth plant to tool up for assembly of the next generation of Isuzu KB bakkies and Corsa Utilitys. . Read More...
 
Not all doom and gloom for retrenched workersAutomotive industry workers recently retrenched in the Eastern Cape are now receiving training General Motors SA has announced.. Read More...
 
Grand unveiling for SA’s first electric car in SwitzerlandSouth Africa's first electric car, the Joule, which is expected to be manufactured either in the Coega or the East London industrial development zones, will be featured at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next month.. Read More...
 
Volumes up at Coega portOver 40 vessels have already docked at the state-of-the-art facility which January being a bumper month.. Read More...
 
ECDC sees light at the end of the recession tunnelThe 2010 World Cup is expected to increase traffic into the province’s coffers through tourism.. Read More...
 
EC unlocks tourism potentialInvestments pour into one of the Eastern Cape’s most profitable sector. Read More...
 
New tractor factory to create 150 jobsIn an early 2010 boost for the Eastern Cape, an agreement between an Eastern European industrial nation and South African organisations is set to result in a tractor factory being built at Coega.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape economy to pick up in 2010The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) believes that while the Eastern Cape economy has been affecting by a seemingly unrelenting global economic recession, there is hope beyond the storm for the provincial economy in 2010. A number of sectors such as tourism, and the struggling general manufacturing sector, led by automotives, are likely to pick up next year as the country eases out of the recession.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape tourism sector poised for growth as investments pour inSignificant tourism investments running into millions of rands which have generated job creation and economic growth opportunities for the Eastern Cape in the last year have placed the province on track to unlock its untapped tourism potential.. Read More...
 
EC agency explores maize milling businessAsgiSA Eastern Cape (EC) has set aside R7 million for the construction of silos at strategic sites in the former Transkei, an investment it believes will up further opportunities like in the area of milling.. Read More...
 
EC rail links due for R753m investmentTransnet will spend R753-million on railways in the Eastern Cape over the next five years, Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan has told the National Council of Provinces.. Read More...
 
Coega to pilot toolmaker training programme in JanuaryThe first tool, die and mould (TDM) preapprentice orientation programme, which formed part of measures to deal with the “drastic” skills shortage in the TDM sector – a key support sector for South Africa’s manufacturing industry – would be launched at seven pilot sites across the country in January.. Read More...
 
New season for PE metroZanoxolo Wayile appointed Mayor of Nelson Mandela Metro . Read More...
 
Mdantsane fashion duo make impressive debut at national exhibitionECDC’s crafters show off their prowess at landmark exhibition. Read More...
 
IT’S ALL SYSTEMS GO AT PORT OF NGQURAThose who occupied special vantage points today at the new deepwater Port of Ngqura in South Africa witnessed history in the making, as the 300 metre long, 13 metre deep MSC Catania sailed into the port to become the Ngqura container terminal’s first commercial vessel. . Read More...
 
Mdantsane fashion duo make impressive debut at national exhibitionVisions are literally “becoming” for a duo of Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) funded Mdantsane young designers who wowed an international audience at the annual Department of Trade and Industry (dti) South African Handmade Collection exhibition with their new line of kitchen accessories.. Read More...
 
Japan’s auto recovery signals hope for EC’s sectorJapan may be in another hemisphere, but its first signs of economic growth since being ravaged by the world-wide recession may impact positively on the Eastern Cape, especially on the province’s vital motor components industry.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition now “globe trotter”Europeans love the Bathurst “Big Pineapple”, Hole in the Wall, Bird Island and bottle nosed dolphins says Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) which recently returned from its third photographic exhibition on the continent.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape site of successful water-neutral schemeThe World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) and government’s Working for Water (WfW) programme launched a fully quantitative water neutral scheme, and has achieved significant results at the South African Breweries (SAB) pilot project site in the Eastern Cape. . Read More...
 
Nelson Mandela Bay’s one of world'’s most intelligent communitiesThe Eastern Cape's Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has made it onto the 2009 list of the world’s 21 most intelligent communities. The list is issued annually by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) on the basis of a community's capacity in and innovative use of broadband.. Read More...
 
Bhisho Airport to see its first commercial flights and more flights to MthathaNewly renovated Bhisho Airport has received some interest from Air Link to have its first commercial flights and more flights to Mthatha Airport in the near future.. Read More...
 
Coaches boom for EC passenger train serviceKei Rail will transport 464 passengers in comfort between Mthatha and East London, and be linked to the Johannesburg/East London service. . Read More...
 
Multi-million upgrade for Bay universityThe Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is spending R180-million to upgrade facilities at its campuses in both Port Elizabeth and George.. Read More...
 
NGQURA CONTAINER TERMINAL GAINING MOMENTUMA combination of expert management and state-of-the-art equipment could see Ngqura container terminal (NCT) in South Africa positioning itself as a major container hub for sub-Saharan Africa. So says Transnet Port Terminals’ Chief of Operations, Solly Letsoalo.. Read More...
 
Mthatha airport set for completion next yearAirport’s multi-million upgrade to include a host of new facilities.. Read More...
 
Bay accommodation nears 2010 deadlineTime is running out for graded accommodation establishments in Nelson Mandela Bay as the deadline to sign up for 2010 World Cup Matchville status approaches.. Read More...
 
General Motors optimistic about futureLocal operation’s productivity levels up 25% “I'm optimistic about the future of our business, especially seeing the level of dialogue between US Congress, General Motors and the rest of the US auto industry,” says General Motors (GM) African operations and GM South Africa (GMSA) president and MD Steve Koch. . Read More...
 
New tourism horizons for the Eastern Cape lure investorsCEO Mxolisi Matshamba says that one of the most exciting sectors for the Eastern Cape, both pre and post World Cup, is tourism.. Read More...
 
ECDC courts five Chinese investors after successful trade missionInvestors are interested in sectors range from automotive, textiles to clothing and plastic pipes.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, recently launched its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany.. Read More...
 
EC crafters excel at DTI eventEleven Eastern Cape individual crafters recently saw off tough competition to claim the best crafts stand award at the recent South African Handmade Collection exhibition at the Gallagher Estate.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape tourism industry overhaulA major overhaul of the Eastern Cape tourism industry is underway to position the province as a tourism “mecca” while leveraging off the opportunities presented by the lucrative 2010 Soccer World Cup.. Read More...
 
Queenstown’s Lukhanji plans ramp upThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has announced it is to move into the second phase of developing Queenstown’s Lukhanji Aerodrome into an industrial business hub. . Read More...
 
ECDC COURTS FIVE CHINESE INVESTORS AFTER SUCCESSFULTRADE MISSIONFive Chinese investors have expressed their intention to invest in the Eastern Cape after the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) participated in an investment promotion mission to the Asian economic powerhouse last month. . Read More...
 
Exhibition captures Eastern Cape’s spectacular landscapesMore than 12,000 travelers and visitors to Germany’s Munich airport were treated to eclectic beauty of the Eastern Cape in October with a photographic exhibition which included 40 photographic larger-than-life displays.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, will launch its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany today.. Read More...
 
Manufacturing licence for Coega refineryPetroSA, the National Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa, this week reached a significant milestone in realising its plans to build a world-class crude oil refinery at Coega, Port Elizabeth, with the announcement that the company had been granted a manufacturing licence for the project.. Read More...
 
Port of Ngqura opens for its first shipsThe Port of Ngqura finally welcomed its first two ships yesterday, marking an historic moment in the harbour‘s often stormy development. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port Elizabeth port manager Ester Goosen, also tasked with bringing Ngqura on line, said the docking of the Beluga Indication and the BBC Langeland meant the port was finally “a reality”. . Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, recently launched its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany. The exhibition, consisting of 40 aerial views of the province, was offically opened by the South African Ambassador to Germany, Mr Eddie Funde and ran until 22 October. . Read More...
 
EC crafters excel at DTI eventEleven Eastern Cape individual crafters recently saw off tough competition to claim the best crafts stand award at the recent South African Handmade Collection exhibition at the Gallagher Estate. The group was part of an Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) delegation to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) event. . Read More...
 
Eastern Cape tourism industry overhaulA major overhaul of the Eastern Cape tourism industry is underway to position the province as a tourism “mecca” while leveraging off the opportunities presented by the lucrative 2010 Soccer World Cup. These processes include the review of the province’s Tourism Master Plan which is set to be complete later this month, the updating of statistical data on tourism products and the implementation of the provincial tourism six - point plan for 2010. . Read More...
 
A region with niches that provide global competitive advantageThe Eastern Cape is the third largest province in South Africa. Located on the eastern coast, it lies between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. With two working harbours and the transhipment hub of Coega due to become operational later this year, three airports offering direct flights to the main urban centres and an excellent rail and road infrastructure, the province continues to be prioritised by the South African government for further economic development. . Read More...
 
City’s auto, manufacturing sectors shaping city’s successThe Nelson Mandela Bay economy contributes roughly 40% of the Eastern Cape’s GDP, thanks largely to the automotive and manufacturing sectors in Port Elizabeth. According to big business, the city and Coega Development Corporation are playing their part in ensuring a smooth ride for industry. . Read More...
 
Rio says ‘powered’ Coega aluminium smelter still viableRio Tinto’s CEO still “all for” a viable opportunity at Coega. . Read More...
 
ECDC revamps its websiteNew site boasts several new features including podcasts, webcasts and RSS feeds. . Read More...
 
ECDC improves access to services with new websiteEastern Cape businesses can now interact with overseas investors who are interested in their products or services - at a click of a button - on the revamped Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) website.. Read More...
 
Province's auto sector remains mainstay sectorLatest Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) figures confirm that exports from the province’s two commercial ports, particularly from the automotive sector, are on the increase.. Read More...
 
EC towns could show off true lineageTranche of new names on the cards after public hearings. . Read More...
 
EC aquaculture Industry shows strong growthMassive investments into the Eastern Cape’s aquaculture industry, running into billions of rands, have placed the province in pole position to challenge the Western Cape’s dominance of this infant industry.. Read More...
 
Oysters opportunity for EC entrepreneursLatest Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) figures confirm that exports from the province’s two commercial ports, particularly from the automotive sector, are on the increase. TNPA figures show that the number of vehicles landed and shipped grew by 27% or 9,700 units to 45,200 units in the past year and this trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. . Read More...
 
EC aquaculture Industry receives faceliftMassive investments into the Eastern Cape’s aquaculture industry, running into billions of rands, have placed the province in pole position to challenge the Western Cape’s dominance of this infant industry.. Read More...
 
Mercedes-Benz’s market resilence should hold off job cutsThe East London-based OEM says that “no broad scale cost reduction programmes were planned by the carmaker in the short term”. Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is not expecting to cut jobs at its East London manufacturing plant in the short term, despite a national slowdown in car sales. . Read More...
 
Blue sky prospects for Somerset EastSomerset East is set to get the province’s next private pilot training academy, once the town’s landmark 1,5 km runway is completed. . Read More...
 
Two biofuel plants for Eastern CapeEastern Cape’s fragile agricultural sector is getting a boost, thanks to the province’s plans to construct two biofuel plants that will create a massive market for the region’s farmers.. Read More...
 
Blue sky prospects for Somerset EastSomerset East is set to get the province’s next private pilot training academy, once the town’s landmark 1,5 km runway is completed. The town, about 180 kilometres from the metropolitan hub of Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole), was granted the funding for the runway through the Special Municipal Infrastructure Grant (SMIF) on the advice of Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) regional head Ken Bern, which is involved in several projects in and around the town. . Read More...
 
Emerging contractors receive skills boostOver 60 Eastern Cape emerging contractors will to take part in the R5 million Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Integrated Emerging Contractor Development Model (IECDM) programme this year.. Read More...
 
International summit could unlock EC mohair industryIn a bid to resuscitate international demand for mohair from the Eastern Cape, the provincial government is set to stage the first International Mohair Summit in June 2009. . Read More...
 
EMERGING CONTRACTORS RECEIVE SKILLS BOOSTOver 60 Eastern Cape emerging contractors will to take part in the R5 million Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Integrated Emerging Contractor Development Model (IECDM) programme this year. . Read More...
 
Study gives green light to three rail corridorsPort Elizabeth Alicedale and Addo have been identified as the most promising Eastern Cape rail tourism corridors in a study commissioned by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and Department of Roads and Transport.. Read More...
 
PE stadium confirmedCity stadium, together with stadiums at Ellis Park, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Free State Stadium and Loftus, are confirmed to host the 2009 Confederations Cup. . Read More...
 
24-hour service boosts PE port trafficPE’s port sees increase of 105% in operational levels after the introduction of new service.. Read More...
 
August time line for Kei Rail serviceThe Kei Rail service linking East London with Mthatha would become a daily operation from August 1 and would also operate on Friday and Sunday nights “to accommodate the demand from commuters”, Eastern Cape Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo said yesterday.. Read More...
 
Semigrants good for Eastern CapeWhile the property market is looking rather dismal elsewhere in the country, experts predict the Eastern Cape could soon expect a rise in property sales because of a phenomenon labelled “semigration”.. Read More...
 
Study gives green light to three rail corridorsPort Elizabeth Alicedale and Addo have been identified as the most promising Eastern Cape rail tourism corridors in a study commissioned by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The study, commissioned earlier this year, also identifies a further four inter-city rail corridors, naming the East London-Bethulie, Cookhouse-Blaney junction, New Brighton-Vondeling and Amabele-Mthatha branch. . Read More...
 
Shamwari in R600m Dubai dealA R600-million deal involving top Eastern Cape game reserve Shamwari and a leading Dubai company was signed.. Read More...
 
R448m high-density homes plan for BayABOUT 5 000 high-density homes are to be built for Nelson Mandela Bay in the first three financial years of a five-year municipal programme.. Read More...
 
Work on R1,2bn mega-mall on track for late 2009 openingWORK on a major Border-Kei regional shopping mega-mall is gaining momentum, with the arrival of special heavy equipment at the 70 000 square metre site for the R1,2-billion development.. Read More...
 
Boost for EL Port as new equipment arrivesA precious cargo of eight straddle carriers arrived in East London yesterday to help boost the port’s productivity levels.. Read More...
 
R448m high-density homes plan for BayABOUT 5 000 high-density homes are to be built for Nelson Mandela Bay in the first three financial years of a five-year municipal programme.. Read More...
 
R700m kick-start for Alcan smelter at CoegaIN a landmark move towards kick-starting construction at the $2,7-billion (R19-billion) Alcan smelter at Coega outside Port Elizabeth, the company yesterday announced that it had signed a R700-million deal with three firms for the plant‘s engineering design.. Read More...
 
IT Giants make EL their new homeEast London has entered the information technology map overnight with tow major national IT companies launching their services to the region yesterday.. Read More...
 
Bhisho cash for academy aiding Aids-hit youthEASTERN Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela has allocated a R1,5-million grant to bolster the work of Umzi Wethu, a training and job placement academy for youths from households hit by HIV/Aids, established by the Wilderness Foundation.. Read More...
 
R174m facelift for PE airportIN a major boost for the region, the Port Elizabeth Airport is to receive a R174-million upgrade which will include lengthening the runway and building a double-storey parking arcade.. Read More...