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The BR&E programme, recognised for its pivotal role in fostering business growth and development, aims to fortify economic sustainability and resilience within Cape Town’s industrial sectors. By extending its presence to Stikland and Epping in 2023, the programme is amplifying its impact and promoting a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

‘The BR&E unit, which operates under the Investment Facilitation Branch umbrella, also works in partnership with industrial businesses and various city improvement districts which seeks to assist businesses in these industrial areas. The unit focuses on matters that are both specific to areas and on issues that broadly affect these businesses through the establishment of action teams which includes City line departments through a transversal approach,’ said Alderman Vos.

In a proactive move to address the challenge of load-shedding, the roll-out of the Load Curtailment Programme is run in collaboration with the City’s Energy Department, which calls upon businesses to play a pivotal role in reducing their usage of City-supplied electricity, thereby contributing to a significant decrease in the likelihood of load shedding occurrences. The Load Curtailment Programme introduces a concept for qualifying Large Power Users, who, in adherence to the national code of practice for load-shedding (NRS048-9: 2019 section 4.5.3), can be excluded from the inconvenience of load-shedding. This exclusion comes in exchange for a predefined load curtailment commitment, showcasing the City's commitment to collaborative energy management strategies. In its early implementation phase, the project has 16 active initiatives, engaging approximately 400 businesses in areas such as Bellville, Elsies River, Steenberg, Parow, and Milnerton. These businesses are actively participating, exploring options for solar installations, and considering the possibility of selling excess power back to the City. Furthermore, the City is working closely with Eskom to implement the Eskom load curtailment pilot in Blackheath Industria, which is an Eskom-supplied area.

The Investment Facilitation Branch, further highlights Cape Town’s investor appeal by championing the City’s incentives’ programme such as the Atlantis Industrial region, businesses realised savings exceeding R11 million in the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year (July-September 2023) after the waiver of their building plan application fees and a reduction in electricity incentive tariffs. This follows a noteworthy performance in the previous 2022/ 2023 financial year, where incentives’ savings totalled R33.1 million.

‘These figures underscore Atlantis Industrial’s growing economic vibrancy. Following the comprehensive industrial survey conducted by the City of Cape Town's Metropolitan Spatial Planning Team in 2017, and subsequent recent assessments, Atlantis Industrial has emerged as a leader recognised for its distinction as a dedicated and specialist manufacturing industrial zone. This reaffirms Atlantis' strategic importance in fostering specialised manufacturing activities within the region,’ said Alderman Vos.

The BR&E unit is actively working towards incorporating additional areas into its programme. Among these areas earmarked for potential inclusion are Elsies River, Montague Gardens, Paarden Eiland and Airport Industria, demonstrating a strategic vision to broaden the programme's footprint and benefit a more extensive range of businesses.

‘It is through such partnerships and programmes that Cape Town has become the epicentre of investment and job creation in South Africa. By assisting local entrepreneurs and businesses not only in keeping their doors open but also in fostering economic growth, Cape Town will continue to be a beacon of economic prosperity,’ said Alderman Vos.

Issued by The City of Cape Town