Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism

FREE ACCESS WEEK IS ALMOST HERE! Take advantage of this offer and marvel at the beauty of nature at our selected nature reserves across the province from 23 to 30 September 2024. Terms and conditions here: https://buff.ly/3zrJiUT #tourismmonth2024 #ECYours2Explore

TACKLING FASD HEADON In response to MEC Pieters’ concern about the rising cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the Sarah Baartman District, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) held the International FASD Commemoration in kwaNojoli, at the Jakes Gerwel Multipurpose Centre today. This global event aims to raise awareness about the dangers of prenatal alcohol exposure and the significant impact of FASD on individuals, families, and communities. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has severe consequences, which led to the declaration of International FASD Day in 1999 to promote awareness and prevention. South Africa, including the kwaNojoli, has one of the highest rates of FASD globally. The ECLB has also visited several other areas in the district, including Misgund, Joubertina, Addo, and Kirkwood—these are mainly farming communities with high levels of alcohol consumption, particularly among women.

MEC PIETERS TO LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL FAS DAY COMMEMORATION MEC will lead the International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day. See the poster for more details

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD TRADE FAIR It is all systems go, and local producers and traders are ready to showcase the best of their agricultural and food products! Come join the trade fever at the Old Taxi Rank opposite the Sassa offices in Xhora for a day of music and entertainment while supporting our local producers from the Mbhashe Local Municipality DEDEAT, working with its entity, ECDC, Mbashe LM and key departments like DRDAR is hosting the Amathole Trade Fair! .

EC TOURISM MONTH LAUNCH 2024 The Province officially launched Tourism Month 2024 at Eagles Ridge Country House, in Stutterheim, under the theme 'Tourism and Peace,' celebrating the rich diversity of our beautiful Eastern Cape and the importance of domestic travel. The event highlighted the importance of exploring our own backyard and upholding unity, understanding, and cultural appreciation. Tourism Month also marks a time when the tourism sector offers discounted packages in a bid to minimize costs for communities to enjoy all the dynamic experiences. These can be accessed and booked on the website https://buff.ly/4cU74qy Let’s continue to embrace the unique experiences our province offers and strengthen the bonds that make us one.

EASTERN CAPE SIGNS LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINESE INVESTOR MEC of the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters, has, on behalf of the Eastern Cape, signed a ground-breaking partnership with Chinese investor, Shanghai Electric Vehicle Technology. The signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marked a significant milestone in the province's efforts to attract foreign investment and drive regional economic development. The partnership originates from a twinning agreement between the Eastern Cape and Zhejiang provinces. It focuses on growth frontiers in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, the ocean economy, and ICT. Indeed, the Eastern Cape is positioning itself as a gateway to Africa, offering a strategic location and a business-friendly environment. This partnership is set to create new opportunities, stimulate innovation, and solidify the Eastern Cape's position as a leader in the automotive sector.

MEC PIETERS VISITS CHINA’S COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING GIANT As part of the Eastern Cape China Mission led by Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environment Affairs, and Tourism (DEDEAT) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters, and HOD Mickey Mama, accompanied by the ELIDZ CEO Mr Thembela Zweni, and acting COO Mrs Ayanda Ramncwana visited one of China’s successful commercial vehicle manufacturers. This visit coincided with the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), a South African Taxi industry representative, and a South African company with existing manufacturing capabilities in the country. DEDEAT, through its entities, the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) working with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) is on a mission to promote the province to foreign OEMs seeking a manufacturing presence in Africa. The collaboration aims to pilot technologies and capabilities to build a safe and sustainable taxi industry in South Africa. During the visit, MEC Pieters highlighted the growing market share of Chinese auto manufacturers and their rising prominence in the African consumer market. She emphasised that while internal combustion vehicles still dominate in South Africa, "the Eastern Cape is committed to becoming a preferred location for new energy vehicle production. We are already rolling out charging infrastructure through AIDC EC and have developed an Electric Vehicle strategy for the province,” said the MEC.

FREE ACCESS TO NATURE RESERVES The ECPTA, an entity of DEDEAT brings you free access to public nature reserves, for one week only this coming Tourism Month

DEDEAT MEC PIETERS ADDRESSES ZHEJIANG AND EASTERN CAPE ECONOMIC AND TRADE CONFERENCE DELEGATES IN CHINA Eastern Cape Strengthens ties with Chinese Investors Investment promotion took centre stage as Team Eastern Cape showcased a compelling provincial value proposition to Chinese investors across various sectors, including ICT, manufacturing, and other globally tradeable services. A key highlight was the province’s two successful Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which host over 100 operational companies. Delivering the main address at the Zhejiang and Eastern Cape Economic and Trade Conference, DEDEAT MEC, Honourable Pieters, has noted that China has over the last 40 decades utilised its Special Economic Zones to aid economic reform and to upgrade ailing economies. “China has become an important benchmark for our province since we started developing our two Special Economic Zones. We believe that collaboration between the Eastern Cape and Zhejiang could enhance the agility of our economic zones and other critical policy instruments driving economic growth,” Pieters stated. Pieters also highlighted the alignment between the priority economic sectors in the provincial economic development strategy and those dominant in Zhejiang province.“ Industrial development is a key lever for growing our economy. Our Provincial Economic Development Strategy (PEDS) prioritises eight growth sectors, including renewable energy, ICT, automotive, tourism, manufacturing, and the oceans economy. We have observed China’s advancements in these sectors and believe this collaboration could foster the development and transfer of technological capabilities to our province,” she added. Pieters underscored the Eastern Cape’s value proposition for Chinese investors looking to use the province as a gateway to the African market. “We offer excellent infrastructure, world class digital connectivity, progressive regulatory environment, competitive incentives for various industrial sectors and a conducive environment for doing business.”

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD TRADERS FAIR IN AMATHOLE ECDC, an entity of DEDEAT will host emerging agricultural producers or traders from the Mbhashe Local Municipality who are looking to introduce their products to buyers and to access new markets? They are invited to showcase their agricultural and food products at the Eastern Amathole Agriculture and Food Trade Fair where producers, traders and consumers will meet. Interested producers and traders to contact: B Mabiya, mabiyab@mbhashemun.gov.za or 063 689 0665 Z Madunedube, zukisam@amathole.gov.za or 078 846 2362 X Hlati, xhlati@mnquma.gov.za or 083 757 4980 #drivinginclusiveeconomicgrowth #ectimetothriveisnow