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Western Cape Business 2023

  • Text
  • Bpo
  • Roads
  • Digital
  • Business
  • Investment
  • Green hydrogen
  • Resesarch
  • Industrial
  • Manufacturing
  • Renewables
  • Greentech
  • Provincial
  • Infrastructure
  • Hydrogen
  • Economy
  • Renewable
  • Economic
  • African
  • Sector
  • Western
A unique guide to business and investment in the Western Cape, the 2023 edition of Western Cape Business is the 16th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape. The Western Cape has several investment and business opportunities. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, a special feature focuses on how the province’s Special Economic Zones have the potential to shift the energy debate in the Western Cape. The Atlantic Special Economic Zone is positioning itself as a greentech hub and wants to attract manufacturers in the renewable energy sector and automobile component manufacturers for the electronic era. It is encouraging tenants to reduce carbon emissions and use renewable energy. Up the coast at the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone, the provincial government has not given up hopes of persuading national government to site a gas plant there, but in the meantime the race for green hydrogen might have supplanted the original wish. An expert from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) provides insights into green hydrogen in a two-page article.

OVERVIEW Transport and

OVERVIEW Transport and logistics The upgrades to the N7 are moving ahead. SECTOR INSIGHT A feasibility study has been done on Cape Town taking over rail services. The Hopefield interhange links the R45 to the N7. Credit: SANRAL The ongoing upgrades to the N7 highway which runs up the west coast are bringing economic benefits to the Swartland region. Martin & East were awarded the contract to widen a 25km section of the road near Moorreesburg and subcontracted 30% of the work to small businesses, in line with South African Road Agency’s transformation policies. SANRAL started the upgrade of the N7 with the Melkbosstrand interchange in 2012 and has subsequently completed the Hopefield interchange. Altogether eight interchanges have been constructed and 46 major concrete structures built and upgraded. To the end of 2021, R333-million had been spent on “targeted labour” which includes black-owned entities, women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses and persons with disabilities. A total of R529-million had been spent on SMMEs. The City of Cape Town conducted a feasibility study in the course of 2022 on taking over the management of passenger rail services from PRASA. The city wants to have a fully-integrated system, which would include rail. In 2022 the city’s Urban Mobility Directorate published an updated Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP), outlining the strategies and plans for improving the transport environment in the metropole for five years to 2028. A range of new factors were considered in drafting the plan, such as the virtual disappearance of passenger rail as an option, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the new trend towards remote working. ONLINE RESOURCES Airports Company South Africa: www.airports.co.za Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa: www.prasa.com South African National Roads Agency: www.sanral.co.za Transport and Urban Development Authority: www.tct.gov.za According to the document, 58% of commuters use private vehicles to get to their destinations; 22% use minibus-taxis; 9% use bus services such as the MyCiTi and GABS; 2% use rail (a decline of 95% for the period 2012 – 2022); and about 10% walk. The Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA), located within the municipality, is responsible for planning, costing, contracting, regulating, monitoring, evaluating, communicating, managing and maintaining the City of Cape Town’s transport infrastructure, systems, operations, facilities and network. The provincial government is in the process of following the city’s lead with the establishment of a Mobility Department which will monitor the province’s transport programmes, such as financial support to bus and taxi services, the transport regulation mandate and extensive traffic management operations. Cape Town International Airport regularly wins awards and is routinely named Africa’s Leading Airport. George Airport now welcomes over 800 000 passengers each year and also serves as a national distribution hub for cargo such as flowers, fish, oysters, herbs and ferns. George Airport is Africa’s first airport to be solar powered. Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome hosts CemAir which flies to and from Johannesburg and Cape Town. ■ WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2023 36

UNIVERSAL LINK GROUP Where service is paramount Universal Link Group, established in 1999, is a market leader in the logistics and distribution services sector. We are fast becoming one of South Africa’s leading e-commerce warehousing, order fulfillment solutions driven companies with a BBBEE Level 1 accreditation. We offer access to a comprehensive logistical supply chain service. Our extensive knowledge assures our clients of a smooth process flow and desired outcome. MISSION We provide strategic solutions for all your procurement, courier, e-commerce fulfillment and warehousing, import and export distribution systems designed to meet your requirements. We are an accomplished procurement office, taking the pressure out of your business of finding the best solutions, equipment and assistance to obtaining, locating and implementing your requirements, giving you a competitive advantage and leading edge. PLEDGE We are a team dedicated to service excellence through the process of simplicity and transparency, making your experience seamless and stress free. We are committed to explore and adapt innovative ideas, that achieve maximum supply chain efficiencies. SERVICES • Distribution and Warehousing • Domestic and International Courier • e-Commerce Order-Fulfillment • Inventory Management System • Pick and Pack Services • Storage (long-term and short-term) • Mailing and Distribution Services • Packaging Solutions • Pharmaceutical Distribution • Wine Storage and Distribution WAREHOUSES • Cape Town: 1 170m² • Johannesburg: 350m² • Flexible storage options, including heavy-duty racking, a high-value goods area and freeflow areas. • Storage methodology eliminates errors by not shelving like products together, making picking easier. Contact details Unit 22, 31 Junction Road, Tygerberg Junction, Parow Industria 7493 Tel: 021 951 4200 | Cell: 063 575 3447 | Email: info@ulgroup.co.za | Website: www.ulgroup.co.za

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