Eastern Cape 2023 Highlights
- December 21, 2023
The Eastern Cape has been abuzz with activity all through 2023. A keen investor focus characterised 2023, with the first quarter being spent on the scoping of a potential investor’s requirements to settle in either Port Elizabeth or East London.
The UNDP Project kicked off early in 2023 which saw 165 youth taken through WRT and in excess of 1000 youth benefiting from the digital upskilling stream. ABSA followed close on its heels with 70 youth being successfully taken through the programme,
As a spin-off from the 2022 GBS Conference, the EC saw Callzilla officially land with 50 seats, BCMM and NMBM. Their contact centre is located in the northern part of Bogotá, Columbia.
As part of the President’s Investor Conference, the EC hosted a Networking Session at the Radisson Blu Hotel with a view to promoting investment into the destination. The event took place om the 12th April 2023.
Positioning the EC as the “remote work” destination for SA saw representation at a catalysing event the “Running Remote Conference” a global meeting place for remote work professionals from around the world, in Portugal, April 2023. During this time an MOU was secured with a large international organisation with access to over 2000 global clients. This relationship is being nurtured and 45 youth have an opportunity to be employed.
The EC Africa2Cable landing in February, gave rise to new hope for potential job opportunities in the ICT sector.
Skills and development were a key focus for the region and as such CISCO | BPESA collaboration discussions were initiated in January with a view to leveraging their ELIDZ based Netacad Lab, as well as a solidified partnership with the FSP for content provision for certified courses during the 2nd quarter.
During the 2nd quarter, the CEO Forum was hosted in both the BCMM and NMBM at Kwantu Game reserve a beautiful showcase of the EC’s beauty.
ECDC’s Makana Madiwana in partnership with BPESA, announced the first of its kind, CAPEX GBS Incentive specifically focused on international investors. Coming out of relative obscurity and through sheer resilience this incentives has positioned the EC strategically to attract new investment into the Province, exciting times indeed.
The year closed off with the joyous prospect of 2 Investors indicating their commitment to open operations early 2024 with a 3rd visit just behind us and that too within our sights.
