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Trade and investment

The Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA), Gauteng's official economic, investment and trade promotion agency, should be the first port of call for anyone seeking to invest in this economic powerhouse of a province. Smart investors and entrepreneurs who recognise the value of establishing a beachhead in Gauteng in order to access the rest of South Africa and the continent will get all the help they need from this agency.

Gauteng contributes nearly 43% of South Africa’s gross domestic product, and has been described as one of the most cosmopolitan provinces in the world. Its rich cultural diversity, lively towns and cities –  including Johannesburg, Africa’s third largest city – and wealth of activity and historical attractions all combine to create a vibrant and energetic pace, contributing to its well-deserved reputation as the financial heartland and economic powerhouse of South Africa.

Some of the province’s competitive strengths include:

• Infrastructure – Gauteng boasts good, quality road, railway and airline connections, sophisticated telecommunication systems, some of the top educational institutions in Africa and top-class research and development facilities. Potential investors will be able to enjoy the advantages of utilising infrastructure developed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• Manufacturing – Gauteng is South Africa’s main manufacturing centre, with almost half of all the country’s factories located in the province.
• Mining – there are 159 mines in Gauteng, which together produce a quarter of South Africa’s total mineral production.
• Tourism – Gauteng is the port of entry for the majority of South Africa’s tourists. Although the tourism infrastructure is sophisticated and well developed, key opportunities still exist.
• Language – all of South Africa’s 11 official languages, as well as many others, can be heard in Gauteng, but English is the language of business.

And GEDA plays a vital role in assisting business people to make the most of these opportunities – not only does it work hard to attract investment and new business to the province, it also renders ongoing services and assistance to already established projects and businesses.

Established in 1996 as the Investment Promotion Agency by the Gauteng government, in 2005 it repositioned itself as a fully fledged economic development agency, making it the one-stop shop for local and foreign investors.

GEDA’s mandate is to identify and market investment opportunities in Gauteng, as well as to respond to requests for assistance. The organisation is aligned to national and provincial government objectives and processes, thereby helping to create an investor-friendly environment with local knowhow and guidance.

Since its inception, GEDA has facilitated in excess of R16-billion-worth of investments into the province.

Services offered by GEDA include:

• Project facilitation – GEDA will assist in setting up a first contact, chairing initial meetings, arranging subsequent meetings, organising secretarial services, networking and facilitating an environment in which potential partners can reach a common understanding.
• Project implementation and operation – the GEDA team can help to identify local or international consultants or institutions that provide support in fields as diverse and business development or land acquisitions
• Finding investment and trade partners – GEDA can assist in identifying local or international partners that meet the necessary business requirements for a particular project. Although the agency is not primarily a venture capitalist, it can assist investors in raising the necessary finance for investment projects that fall within its area of focus. Any such assistance depends on the project being approved and on completing the necessary feasibility tests and market research.
• Information – GEDA can use its network to help acquire project-critical information, whether what is required is a technical thesis, an information brochure or contracted in-depth studies of contact with recognised authorities in various fields.
• Work-permit applications – once a project has been approved, and if it is clear that local personnel cannot be used in key positions, GEDA can assist in applying for the necessary work permits.
• Property location – GEDA has a good knowledge of the property market in Gauteng and can help find suitable locations for investors.
• Incentive applications – various incentives are available to investors for the Department of Trade and Industry, municipalities and institutions.
• Pilot projects – GEDA offers investors an opportunity to set up a pilot operation with in-house facilities such as communications infrastructure until such time as the company is established enough to move out into their own premises.
• Export development programme – GEDA helps companies become export-ready. It also provides assistance for companies wishing to profile their export-quality goods at local and international trade shows.
• Policy advocacy and lobbying – GEDA works with both investors and the regulatory authorities to help remove obstacles to investment and to ensure that strategic development projects are delivered in the quickest possible times.

Contact GEDA on info@geda.co.za or visit www.geda.co.za.