Major opportunities are waiting to be seized in Atlantis to the benefit of locals.
This according to Alderman James Vos, Mayco Member for Economic Development. He recently met with the team at the Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office (AIFO), a unit focused on landing and expanding investor opportunities for the area, and which has already assisted multiple companies to grow their operations in the area.
Vos was joined by Alderman Clive Justus, Economic Growth Portfolio Committee chairman and Subcouncil 1 chairperson, councillor Nicky Rheeder and local councillors.
He said: “I’m pleased to share the exciting news of the development and construction on nine of the sites that are currently underway and, in total, these investments are valued at approximately R2 billion. This will secure hundreds of job opportunities now and in the future for the local community.”
The expansion of the big businesses can also lay further ground for economic growth in the area. The investment in new build and expansion by domestic and international companies covers a range of industries, including electrical equipment production, textile manufacturing, packaging, and green tech manufacturing. The AIFO team, which falls under the Investment Facilitation Branch, attracts investors by enabling access to the full spectrum of City of Cape Town services via a wide range of line departments. These include Property management, Planning and Building Development Management, Energy, Water and Waste Services, Air Emissions Licensing, Environmental Management, particularly with respect to biodiversity management.
“Simultaneous to landing and expanding such major investments, the office offers a host of development programmes to small businesses in the area that help them to capitalise on new opportunities,” Vos added.
Current Programmes at the Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office includes the following:. Development of sub-contractors to allow them to participate in energy tech production. A high impact programme designed to prepare construction industry participants for tendering, and equip them with knowledge of smart procurement. Support to the development of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone for Green technology. Support to new investment and expansion in the Atlantis Industrial area
Vos said in just a few years Atlantis has become a major economic hub in the City, through the attraction of new investment and support to local entrepreneurs and the community at large to take advantage of the opportunities. Greentech production in particular is a sector where Atlantis has stood out as a leader Vos said. In the last three years, the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) has attracted R700 million in green investments and is projected to attract approximately R3,7 billion over the next two decades.
To find out more about the Investment Facilitation Branch and its Atlantis office, email investment.facilitation@capetown.gov.za or visit www.investcapetown.com
