This week the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management Alderman James Vos launched the new Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office. He was joined by Portfolio Committee Members, Subcouncil Councillors and the Department of Enterprise and Investment officials.
‘Under the City’s Department for Enterprise and Investment, this new office is an arm of the existing Investment Facilitation Unit and will be key to attracting and retaining foreign investment, while helping to create a positive economic climate in Atlantis and surrounding areas.
‘Last year, the Investment Facilitation Unit engaged with 247 companies and organisations, resulting in breaking ground on investment projects valued close to R15 billion. The unit’s new one-stop shop will aim to realise similar gains for Atlantis and surrounding areas,’ said Alderman Vos.
Over the past few years, the region has emerged as a major player in the greentech sector with the opening of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ). At the end of 2020, the City transferred the general industrial zoned properties to the ASEZ Company (SOC) Ltd in a deal that allows the organisation to legally contract on the land with prospective bidders.
As world governments and businesses race toward meeting clean energy targets, new investments in renewable energy projects and companies totalled R2,6 trillion in the first half of 2021, the highest total ever recorded in the first half of any year, according to the latest Renewable Energy Investment Tracker from research company BloombergNEF.
The ASEZ, meanwhile, has already made around R700 million with at least five large-scale international investors that are fully operational.
‘I believe our new Investment Facilitation Office can unlock significant prospects in the community. The office’s team will be able to assist potential investors with, among other services, economic and regulatory information, connections with other business information sources, site identification, land use applications, and building plan applications,’ said Alderman Vos.
Similarly, the unit will offer support to SMMEs experiencing financial distress and assist with business retention and expansion through initiatives such as small business and workforce development programmes.
‘As such, I urge local businesses, entrepreneurs and community members in Atlantis and surrounding areas to get in touch with the Investment Facilitation Office.
‘Huge opportunities lie ahead, and now is the moment for Atlantis locals and the people of greater Cape Town, to stake their claim in these exciting possibilities,’ said Alderman Vos.
Contact the Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office on 021 444 2830 or email Business.Support@capetown.gov.za.