The role of the Economic Development Facilitation Branch is to facilitate the development of Cape Town's economy by encouraging te creation of a positive enablign environment to do subiness, promoting investment and supporting Cape Town's priority economic sectors. These sectors are sections of the economy that have the potential to grow and develop the whole economy of the region, if they receive enough investment, exports, new business development, expansion of existing businesses and skills transfer.
The City hosted an Urban Agriculture Summit from 25 to 26 August 2011 to bring all role players involved in urban agriculture together and discuss the relevance of its current Urban Agriculture Policy. The summit therefore served as the public participation component in the policy revision process. The new policy aims to increase the scope and scale of urban agriculture in Cape Town.
Various local and international delegates attended the summit and shared their ideas, expertise and experiences in urban agriculture. All their speeches and presentations are available for download here.
How to apply for urban farming assistance
The City also provides financial and operational assistance to urban farmers (small and micro farmers) through its Urban Agricultural Policy. This assistance includes technical advice and access to farming facilities, tools, equipment and subsidised water for irrigation.
Home gardeners, community groups, emerging farmers or commercial farmers should contact the Economic and Human Development Department through their local ward councillor, or through the City Parks Department. Depending on what the urban farmer needs, the City is able to offer advice, assistance with access to land, provision of seeds, compost and water, infrastructure such as fencing, containers and irrigation supply, tools such as rakes, spades and water pumps, or skills training.
Projects
Port of Cape Town upgrades
The branch has championed the speeding up of infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Cape Town, for the benefit of inter-regional trade in general, but particularly for the competitiveness of the ship repair, oil and gas, and boat building industries.
Call Centre Life Skills Assesssment and Training Centre
Employment in Cape Town's call centre industry is growing at about 30% per year, and the industry itself has grown by more than 40% since 2005. Economic Development Facilitation has therefore facilitated a business plan and Memorandum of Agreement between a development organisation known as Calling the Cape and the City of Cape Town Call Centre, to upgrade a Life Skills Assessment and Training Centre in Athlone.
Women in ICT
Through the Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI), the City, Provincial Government and the private sector have implemented a programmed called Women in ICT, which encourages girls and women to consider ICT as a career or business opportunity. During 2006, CITI facilitated IT training for 12 000 female learners at 23 schools, provided support to 13 women-owned IT business owners and assisted 15 emerging companies through dedicated mentors.
To apply for ICT support, visit www.citi.org.za or call 021 409 700.
Useful links
Manufacturing
Boatbuilding: www.capetownboatbuilders.co.za
Creative and design Industries: www.capecraftanddesign.org.za
Clothing and textiles: www.clotex.co.za
Services
Information Communication Technology: www.citi.org.za
Call centres and business process outsourcing, BPeSA WC: www.bpesawesterncape.co.za
Film and multimedia: www.capefilmcommission.co.za
Oil and gas: www.offshoreafrica.co.za
Tourism: www.tourismcapetown.co.za