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Date: 27/11/2002
Source: Western Cape provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: French Business Chamber


EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK ADDRESSING THE MEMBERS OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS CHAMBER IN PARIS, 27 November 2002

TRADE AND TOURISM: WESTERN CAPE OFFERS WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Political stability in the Western Cape is ensured for the long-term. We have existing plans and are putting new plans in place to ensure our long-term economic growth. The Government of the Western Cape has a long-term agenda, in addition to our shorter-term measures, to ensure sustainable economic growth and job creation, which will make a positive difference to the daily lives of all the people of our province.

The links between the Western Cape and France have traditionally been concentrated in the area of agricultural trade. The co-operation agreement, which was signed in September between the Western Cape and the French region of Burgundy, was primarily focused on expanding the relationship between our wine and agri-business sectors.

Although France represents one of the top ten export markets for the Western Cape (just more than 3% of total exports), there are so many new exciting business and trade opportunities which are developing in our province that we believe there is a great potential for expanding French investment in our region:

* Mining, Gas, Petro-chemicals, and Energy: There is a growing need for the establishment of a service centre in Cape Town for West African oil and gas exploration activities; there is scope for the construction of a natural gas pipeline along the West Coast to Cape Town or Mossel Bay; and there is growing potential for the development of value added petro-chemical refinery products.

* Textile, Clothing, Craft and Leather: Following the outstanding success of the Cape Town Festival of Fashion last month, the Western Cape is rapidly positioning itself as one of the most creative and energetic fashion capitals in Africa. With our uniquely African motifs and home-grown materials like ostrich products, finely wrought gold and diamond creations, the partnership between the French fashion establishment and the fashion industry in the Western Cape, already established for decades with design houses like Hermes, is an opportunity for expansion waiting to be realised.

* Film and Media Industry: With some of the most spectacular settings anywhere, weather conditions which are practically guaranteed, talented and experienced local professionals, and unmatched value-for-money, the Western Cape film and media industry is amongst the most exciting in the world. It is also just getting started. The building of advanced film studio facilities is a priority goal for the province, and a great commercial opportunity for the international investor.

* Property Development & Construction: From some of the most luxurious residential homes in the southern hemisphere to the construction of low-cost housing units to meet the development needs of the province, opportunities in property development abound. With the expansion of the world-famous Cape Town Waterfront, the construction of the new Convention Centre, and the need for both harbour and airport expansions, the Western Cape is fast becoming a developer's haven.

In addition to these opportunities there are countless others in information and biotechnology, financial and business services, metal processing, machinery, and so many more. The Western Cape is ready for business and our provincial government is determined to build a world class province. We are looking for international partners who share our vision and who are ready to invest in a truly exciting market of the future.

Apart from agricultural products of quality, the Western Cape is most well-known for our tourism attractions like Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, the V&A Waterfront and our wine lands - in fact the top seven tourist attractions in South Africa are all in the Western Cape. Two of the Top 25 Conde Nast Traveller Hotels for 2002 are in Cape Town, and the city was just this month voted by BBC viewers the 5th most desirable place on earth which had to be seen during one's life-time. With an estimated 870 000 foreign visitors last year, and a range of new programmes and initiatives to attract even greater numbers in 2003, Western Cape tourism is flourishing. The single largest growth in European tourist arrivals to South Africa in 2002 was from France (33,5% increase on 2001) - and with more than 50% of all international visitors to the country travelling to the Western Cape this is a positive sign of the growing attraction our province continues to offer.

Cosmopolitan, vibrant, and distinctly African, the Western Cape is also gaining a global reputation as the cape of great events with the hosting of annual happenings like the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Two Oceans Marathon, the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and the Cape to Rio yacht race. From trade and investment, to tourism, leisure and fun the Western Cape is rapidly establishing itself as a global player - and it is our hope that our French partners will take advantage of these opportunities.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp @ 083-778-9923

Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape
27 November 2002

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