Statement by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos.

The City has announced that it has renewed its appointment of Wesgro, Cape Town and the province’s investment promotion agency, to expand on key programmes that have helped to drive economic growth and job opportunities.

The City has prioritised goals within specific industries or sectors that are drivers of a more inclusive and sustainable economy. These are:

The Air Access initiative to secure more flights from our key sources markets to increase travel and trade;

The Cruise Cape Town programme, first conceptualised in the city’s Tourism Development Framework in 2019, positioning the metro as a homeport for world and regional cruise travel;

Promoting the city’s investment profile, particularly within the technology and health tech fields, and export potential via platforms such as the online Cape Trade Portal;

Deepening the positioning of Cape Town as an ideal host destination for business events through the Convention Bureau project.

These programmes have helped Cape Town weather recent global economic storms.

By March next year, we are expecting up to 191 flights per week, amounting to approximately 1,5 million two-way seats and generating around R7,9 billion in tourist spend. Turning oceanward, we are welcoming a total of 75 ship visits from 26 cruise ships carrying more than 195 000 visitors. With almost R100 million in total estimated passenger spend per port visit, this travel market alone will generate numerous jobs across multiple industries.

Meanwhile, the Cape Trade Portal now hosts over 600 registered exporters with more than 3 000 products. Such gains show the value of the programmes that the City has identified and the scope for even greater economic success,’ said Alderman Vos.

Everything we do is geared towards helping Capetonians to unlock their potential, whether that means opening their own business or acquiring the skills to become part of a major company.

Through these initiatives, we are realising these goals.

Source: City Of Cape Town