
Trade, Investment and Innovation
pioneering innovation
The Trade, Investment and Innovation business unit’s core mandate is to market Eastern Cape to domestic and international investors
and to ensure that existing investors (particularly those outside the Special Economic Zones) are provided with support needed to grow their businesses in order to increase employment opportunities within the Eastern Cape. The business unit is further responsible for promoting trade in order to increase exports from the Eastern Cape and position ECDC as an implementing agent for government to government economic development initiatives.
Provides local firms with export advice and information, export-readiness tools and other data relating to marketing their goods and services internationally
Facilitates foreign and local direct investment into the Eastern Cape, and to support existing investors in order to retain their provincial presence.
Provides project support, which is early-stage support for innovative business concepts and ideas in order to advance these to commercialization stage

Craft Shop
The Eastern Cape Craft Collection shop has a curated selection of high quality craft products.

Trade Missions within Africa
ECDC has made a renewed focus on promoting trade in Africa for SMMEs, embracing Africa trade and African renaissance.

Exporter Development
The Exporters Development Programme is aimed at assisting local companies to start exporting.
invitation to AUTOMECHANIKA GERMANY trade show 2022
The ECDC in collaboration with the dtic extends an invitation to Eastern Cape automotive companies to apply to participate on the South African National Pavilion at the Automechanika Germany Trade Show 2022 taking place from 13 to 17 September 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany. Closing date for applications is 11 April 2022. Please see below relevant documents for download:
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National Pavilions Guidelines - Download here
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Application Form for Manufacturing Entities - Download here
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Application Form for Services Entities - Download here
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Export Council Application Form - Download here
invitation to sial shangai 2022
The ECDC in collaboration with the dtic extends an invitation to Eastern Cape firms and other exporters to apply to participate on the South African National Pavilion at the SIAL Shangai 2022. in the APAS Supermarket Fair 2022 scheduled to take place from 16-19 May 2022 at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The South Africa National Pavilion at the SIAL Shangai 2022 will focus on food and beverages, technologies for hotel and restaurant, gourmet foods and basic foods. Please see below relevant documentations for download:
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Detailed Advert - Download here
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National Pavilions Guidelines - Download here
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Application Form for Services Entities - Download here
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Application Form for Manufacturing Entities - Download here
APAS SUPERMARKET FAIR 2022
The ECDC in collaboration with the dtic extends an invitation to Eastern Cape firms and other exporters to apply to participate on the South African National Pavilion in the APAS Supermarket Fair 2022 scheduled to take place from 16-19 May 2022 at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The South Africa National Pavilion at the Apas Supermarket 2022 event will focus on Wines, Beverages, Confectionery, Condiments and Fines Foods. Please see below relevant documentations for download:
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Detailed Advert - Download here
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National Pavilions Guidelines - Download here
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Application Form for Services Entities - Download here
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Application Form for Manufacturing Entities - Download here
Eastern cape exporter development programme
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) is calling for applications from all qualifying SMMEs to be part of the Eastern Cape Exporter Development Programme (ECEDP) aimed at assisting local companies to start exporting. The programme seeks to provide export related assistance to the different levels of companies and ensure that the ECDC provides succinct assistance in the company’s growth. The ECEDP is targeted at those firms that are new to exporting and require some additional incentive or support to enter and explore new markets. The process to be enrolled will entail a thorough screening, selection and site visit process to identify firms that are ready to enter the export market. Closing date for applications is Friday, 18 March 2022. Download detailed advert here and application form here.
national pavilion list for 2022/23
An opportunity to increase your company's exports and turn over - The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) will be participating in various exhibition, trade shows and national pavilions to promote locally manufactured products in international markets. The dtic invites the manufactures and registered exporters to participate in the international trade shows listed on the following link: National Pavilion List
The InvestSA One Stop Shop initiative is geared toward providing investors with services to fast-track projects and to reduce government red tape when establishing a business. It is part of national government’s drive to become investor-friendly and to improve the business environment by lowering the cost of doing business as well as making the process easier.
The One-Stop Shop is envisaged to house government entities such as the South African Revenue Service (to help with customs and tax), Home Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Eskom and the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission under one roof. An investor can make an appointment, meet a government representative and be guided by the representative through the process of setting up a business.
The One Stop Shops simplifies administrative procedures for issuing business approvals, permits and licenses and thereby remove bottlenecks that investors may face in establishing and running businesses. One-Stop Shops have been rolled out in Tshwane in Gauteng (national office), Cape Town in the Western Cape and eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal.
