A New Chapter in Cape Town’s Economic Success

The Business Retention and Expansion unit in Cape Town is transforming the city’s industrial landscape by placing businesses at the core of its strategy. Through proactive action teams, the unit leverages the power of multiple city departments to enhance economic resilience, promote energy security, alternative energy solutions, and transport infrastructure. The unit’s initiatives have yielded tangible results, such as prospering businesses, dynamic city districts, and a thriving economy. Through partnerships and proactive initiatives, Cape Town continues to attract investment and job creation, ensuring ongoing economic stability for the entire city.

What is the Business Retention and Expansion unit in Cape Town?

The Business Retention and Expansion (BR and E) unit in Cape Town is a division of the Investment Facilitation Branch of the city. It aims to enhance and broaden the economic robustness of Cape Town’s industrial sector by placing businesses at the core of its strategy, nurturing them to thrive and expand. The unit leverages the synergistic power of multiple city departments to tackle industry challenges and promote energy security, alternative energy solutions, transport infrastructure, and expand its reach and portfolio.

In the lively epicentre of Cape Town, a unique project is revealing an unparalleled spectrum of economic prospects. The Business Retention and Expansion (BR and E) unit, a division of the Investment Facilitation Branch of the city, is spearheading a radical transformation within Cape Town’s industrial landscape. The evidence of their achievements cannot be confined to mere dialogue; the tangible results are boldly reflected in prosperous businesses, dynamic city districts and a thriving economy.

Amplifying Economic Resilience

The mandate of the BR and E unit goes beyond maintaining the status quo; it is dedicated to enhancing and broadening the economic robustness of Cape Town’s industrial sector. A testament to this is seen in the recent growth and success of Stikland and Epping, which have been the recipients of this progressive initiative. The unit’s approach is designed to place businesses at the core of its strategy, nurturing them to thrive and expand.

The guiding principle of the unit lies in leveraging the synergistic power of multiple city departments. Structured into proactive action teams, they tackle industry challenges at both, the micro and macro level. This cooperative approach, as expressed by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, stands out as an innovative and efficient approach.

Energy Security and Alternatives

A fundamental aspect of the BR and E unit’s projects is its emphasis on energy security and the promotion of alternative energy solutions. Large Power Users can obtain an exemption from load-shedding, provided they commit to predefined load curtailment. This initiative covers around 400 businesses spanning across diverse areas such as Bellville, Elsies River, and Steenberg. In an effort to expand its scope, the unit has joined forces with Eskom, extending the programme’s reach to Blackheath Industria, with prospective expansions on the cards.

Within the City’s incentives scheme, the Investment Facilitation Branch has seen a range of successes, from significant reductions in electricity tariffs to waivers for building plan applications. These notable achievements have yielded substantial savings, reinforcing the tangible impact of the BR and E unit’s interventions.

Enhancing Transport Infrastructure

Transport infrastructure plays a vital role in the business ecosystem. Acknowledging its importance, the BR and E unit has initiated a study for suitable truck holding areas, with Paarden Eiland and surrounding regions in focus. This strategic endeavour is aimed at enhancing logistical infrastructure while addressing transportation requirements of businesses.

One of the unit’s significant achievements is the stimulation of a R1 billion investment into a new distribution centre. This investment, a resounding vote of confidence in Cape Town’s economy, also serves as a testament to the BR and E unit’s dedication to the effortless integration of businesses into the city’s infrastructure.

Expanding Reach and Diversifying Portfolio

Looking ahead, the BR and E unit plans to extend its scope to more areas. Elsies River, Montague Gardens, Paarden Eiland, and Airport Industria are among the target zones. This expansion strategy is expected to diversify the portfolio of supported businesses, thereby propelling continued economic growth.

Already, the initiatives of the BR and E unit have shown fruitful results. Their action team interventions have enabled nearly 200 engagements with businesses considering investments in Cape Town and integrated Blackheath Industrial into the Eskom load curtailment programme. They’ve also facilitated the application process for a significant generator for a company in Atlantis, showcasing the unit’s proficiency in interacting with multiple city line departments.

To quote Alderman Vos, a flourishing economy thrives on partnerships and proactive initiatives. Cape Town, through programmes like the BR and E, continues to attract investment and job creation, ensuring ongoing economic stability, not just for a select few, but for the entire city. In this tale of growth, innovation, and resilience, the BR and E unit is penning a fresh chapter in Cape Town’s economic success story.

1. What is the Business Retention and Expansion unit in Cape Town?

The Business Retention and Expansion (BR and E) unit in Cape Town is a division of the Investment Facilitation Branch of the city. It aims to enhance and broaden the economic robustness of Cape Town’s industrial sector by placing businesses at the core of its strategy, nurturing them to thrive and expand.

2. What is the mandate of the BR and E unit?

The mandate of the BR and E unit is to enhance and broaden the economic robustness of Cape Town’s industrial sector, with a focus on placing businesses at the core of its strategy, nurturing them to thrive and expand.

3. How does the BR and E unit tackle industry challenges?

The BR and E unit leverages the synergistic power of multiple city departments to tackle industry challenges and promote energy security, alternative energy solutions, and transport infrastructure. They are structured into proactive action teams, which tackle industry challenges at both the micro and macro level.

4. What is the emphasis of the BR and E unit’s projects on energy?

The BR and E unit’s projects emphasize energy security and the promotion of alternative energy solutions. Large Power Users can obtain an exemption from load-shedding, provided they commit to predefined load curtailment. The unit has joined forces with Eskom to extend the program’s reach to Blackheath Industria, with prospective expansions on the cards.

5. How has the BR and E unit enhanced transport infrastructure?

The BR and E unit has initiated a study for suitable truck holding areas, with Paarden Eiland and surrounding regions in focus. This strategic endeavour is aimed at enhancing logistical infrastructure while addressing transportation requirements of businesses. The unit has also stimulated a R1 billion investment into a new distribution centre.

6. What is the expansion strategy of the BR and E unit?

The BR and E unit plans to extend its scope to more areas, including Elsies River, Montague Gardens, Paarden Eiland, and Airport Industria. This expansion strategy is expected to diversify the portfolio of supported businesses, thereby propelling continued economic growth.