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PERCCI'S aim is to work together with government and other relevant organisations to support growth of the local economy. In pursuit of this, the Chamber has identified strategic projects which we believe can make a real difference in creating an environment conducive to doing business in Nelson Mandela Bay, and economic growth and development which will serve all who live, work and invest here.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
The local and global meetings and conferences market is ever-growing - albeit limited by the current economic downturn - but Nelson Mandela Bay lacks the facilities to tap into this market in a significant way. The metro is home to several excellent conference facilities, but none at the level of an international convention centre. ICC's have been shown to bring significant benefits by upgrading the precincts where they are located, and having major tourism spin-offs.
PERCCI commissioned the initial feasibility study into an ICC for Nelson Mandela Bay and has since been working closely with the Mandela Bay Development Agency on bringing this dream to reality. Together, we were successful in reaching agreement with the East Cape Gaming & Betting Board for an exclusivity fee attached to the renewal of the casino licence area for this area to be used for the ICC project.
The call has gone out internationally for expressions of interest in building an ICC in the Bay, and the two bids for the casino operator's licence for Nelson Mandela Bay have both included an ICC as part of their plans.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The industrial base of Nelson Mandela Bay is the motor manufacturing sector, with two manufacturers (General Motors and Volkswagen) and a well-developed supplier network dominating industry in the area. Despite this dominance, the challenge remains to significantly boost the local content of vehicles manufactured here by developing the local supplier network and reducing reliance on imports.
The current global economic downturn has highlighted the dangers of over-reliance on the automotive industry. While the motor industry forms the core of our manufacturing base, and we must continue to act in support of them, the PERCCI Board identified - well before the current downturn - the need to identify methods and sectors by which to expand and diversify industrial activity in this area. The initiative was sparked by leaders in the auto industry who played the leading role in initiating the project to put together an industrial development strategy for the metro.
In partnership with the municipality and the Industrial Development Corporation, the Chamber engaged a team from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to conduct a two-phased project to develop this strategy. Phase 1 is now complete and it has identified critical success factors for industrial development - benchmarked against other successful industrialised cities in this country and internationally; short-comings in our own metro; and potential sectors where industrial development should take place. These were identified in line with our metro's current strengths, local and provincial growth strategies, and international trends.
Critically, the team has identified the need for strong and decisive leadership, and for business, government and education to work together to shape a common vision and drive economic growth and industrial development. The Chamber has already begun work on such an initiative, to run in parallel to phase 2 of the project, which will delve deeper into the sectors identified as having growth potential and develop a growth strategy around these.
TANK FARM & MANGANESE ORE BERTH
The Chamber believes that the removal of the tank farm and manganese ore berth form the PE harbour to another site such as the Port of Ngqura will help to facilitate the municipality's vision of a waterfront development for the city, and create significant tourism growth opportunities. Their potential for serious negative impact on the environment and public health and safety is also a matter of concern which has been taken up by the media and various civil society organs. In order to ensure that our position is based in fact, we commissioned an expert to research the impacts of these facilities, and the potential for their removal, and work in conjunction with the municipality is far advanced in building up the case for shifting them to a more appropriate site. Former Environmental Affairs director-general Dr Chippy Olver has researched in-depth both the business case for moving of these facilities, and the environmental and public health aspects. He has now assembled an expert team of environmental, legal and stakeholder relations experts to compile the necessary information and strategies. Information on the environmental measures taken regarding these facilities has been requested from Transnet under the Public Access to Information Act, and the municipality has agreed to perform as much of the scientific testing required as possible. PERCCI's role in the process is that of an interested party, and facilitator of processes, but the municipality's role is much stronger, given its statutory obligations to the citizens of the metro, and its planning imperatives.
Information relating to the tank farms can also be followed on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality website at http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/Content.aspx?objID=458. A facebook group called "PE Harbour Alert" has also been created by concerned Nelson Mandela Bay residents under which one can engage in discussion on the progress of the removal of the tank farm and manganese ore berth. Follow this on http://www.facebook.com/pages/PE-Harbour-Alert/129645243745675 or join the ‘PE Harbour Alert’ Google group to stay updated on latest developments via email - http://groups.google.co.za/group/pe-harbour-alert
CRIME
Crime affects all aspects of our daily lives. It impacts on the costs of doing business, on the safety of employees, and on the levels of confidence required to stimulate economic growth. We also believe that it is important for us as business to look beyond the narrow interests of our individual companies, to stand together on issues that have a broader impact on society as a whole. For this reason, in August last year we organised a public march against crime which launched a concerted campaign on crime. We have since then been working closely with Business Against Crime and the provincial government on identifying and supporting priority projects in the fight against crime.
We encourage business to get involved in local initiatives to support police stations by contributing skills and resources. Why not contact your nearest police station to find out how you can make a difference?
click here to view more information
TRANSPORT
Both tourism and agriculture are key sectors for economic growth and job creation in this area. In support of those sectors, PERCCI has lobbied for the upgrading of the Addo Road and the R72 to East London, both important routes for transport of goods and for the tourism industry. These efforts are starting to bear fruit, with upgrading of the R72 having commenced, and the environmental impact assessment on the Addo road completed.
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