Property Investment and Lifestyle Information for the Western Cape province, South Africa

<body bgcolor="#ffffff"> <h1>South Africa :: Western Cape :: Government, Economy and Business Environment</h1> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The major strengths of the South African economy are its strong physical and economic infrastructure, its abundant natural resources (particularly gold, the platinum group metals, and a wide variety of other minerals as well as coal and uranium oxide), and its growing manufacturing sector and considerable tourism potential. The continued development of its abundant natural resources, including effective management of reserves, successful exploration efforts and the efficient production of these natural resources, are important factors in determining South Africa's future growth prospects. South Africa is the world’s leading producer of Gold (20% of the world total), vermiculite (75%), vanadium (62%), terrochromium (44%), chrome (48%) and alumino-silicates (60%). The country is also the second most important producer of platinum (43%), zirconium (26%), and titanium (23%), and the third largest producer of manganese (14%). These achievements do not begin and end with mining - two-thirds of Africa’s electricity is generated in South Africa and 40% of total oil supplies are generated within the country's borders through extraction from coal. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The South African <b>stock exchange</b> ranks among the 10 largest in the world and is fully integrated with the London Stock Exchange. The economy has also become more industrialised: over the past decade, the emphasis has shifted from the export of commodity products to the export of high-value manufactured quality products. In 2002, the export of automotive components and vehicles surpassed gold exports for the first time-a clear indication of the structural changes taking place in the South African economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised South Africa's economic policies in its 2004 country report, commending the government's increased spending plans, efforts to consolidate foreign exchange reserves, and the fight against HIV/Aids. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          World Bank figures, based on <b>purchasing power</b> parity, puts South Africa 19th in the world economic top twenty. The decline in the dollar coupled with economic development in China has pushed up South Africa's precious metal values, has greatly enhanced commodity export prices of all kinds and has ensured a flood of foreign capital coming into South Africa in search of yield it can not presently find abroad. </font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font></p> <p><a href="40-context-frameset.html">Context Basic Facts Administration Financial Business</a></p> <p><a href="../5_property_information/50-property-frameset.html">Property Market Property Types Investment Options Purchase Processes</a></p> <p><a href="../6_geography_information/60-geog-frameset.html">Places Locations Cape Town West Coast Winelands Boland Overberg Karoo Garden Route Eden</a></p> <p><a href="../7_lifestyle_information/70-lifestyle-frameset.htm">Lifestyle Resources Culture Nature Climate</a></p> <p><a href="../8_recreation_information/80-recreation-frameset.htm">Recreation Sport Leisure Activities Tourism</a></p> <p><a href="../9-further-information/90-further-frameset.html">Other Information Books Further Reading Contact Us Index</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.frog-property.com">Frog Property Investment</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.andalucia.ft6.com">Information about Property and Lifestyle in the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.costamap.ft6.com">Map of the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.costatour.ft6.com">Property Guided Tour of the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.grehan.ukhq.co.uk">Voyaging the French canals and rivers in a boat and sailing a yacht in the Mediterranean Spain</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.lapina.co.uk">Self-catering holiday town house apartment to rent by Alhaurin Golf, in the Andalucia countryside, near beach, Costa del Sol, Spain</a></p> <h1><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Western Cape :: The Regional Economy</font></h1> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          </font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Western Cape was R81 billion (£8bn) in 1999, 15% of South Africa's total GDP. The major sectors in Western Cape were financial intermediation, insurance, real estate and business services (27%), manufacturing (21%), and wholesale, retail trade, catering and accommodation (15%). These sectors, with general government services, were also the major sectors in South Africa as a whole. Mining and quarrying; and electricity, gas and water were minor sectors in Western Cape. The Western Cape region boasts one of the most diverse, dynamic and innovative economies in Africa. During the past decade, the region has consistently exceeded the average national growth rate. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The Western Cape’s robust economy can be attributed to its unique balance of economic activities which range from agriculture, fishing and forestry in the primary sector to clothing and textiles, auto components, boat building, agri-business, and a host of niche sub-sectors in the manufacturing as well as a dynamic services sector that boasts a vibrant tourism sector and an increasing array of future-orientated service industries. Among these are call centres, business process outsourcing, IT enabled services, film and multimedia, oil and gas supplies. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          On the investment side, the province attracts about 17% of foreign direct investment (FDI) to South Africa. FDI flows to the province reflect national trends whereby the EU and America's account for 84% of total FDI. Asia, the Middle East and Africa together account for 16% of said flows. The United States alone accounts for 42% of FDI flows to the Western Cape, followed by the United Kingdom (12.2%) and Italy (11.7%). </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          This province offers an advanced and cost efficient, skills and research base. It has a highly skilled workforce, operating within a long-established highly competitive industrial base, in an English-speaking environment. The Cape produces more than 22% of all South Africa’s graduates and has 3 major universities, 2 technical colleges and various private institutions. More than 20% of all R & D in South Africa is based in Cape Town, which also hosts more than half of South Africa’s “A” rated scientists, in fields such as engineering sciences, health sciences and general scientific research. Today, entrepreneurs globally are taking advantage of the region's unique competitive and comparative advantages, its integrated value chains and its unparalleled quality of life in the pursuit of creating new business opportunities. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Western Cape is highly competitive as an investment destination and an export platform due to a combination of the following factors: </font></p> <ul> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A skilled workforce </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">World-class competitive infrastructure </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Abundant natural resources </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">A diverse range of manufactured products and services </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Preferential access to key global markets </font> </ul> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Workforce</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The Western Cape has one of the highest literacy rates and levels of education of all the provinces in South Africa - about 12% higher than the national average of 82%. The per capita income is the highest in the country. The high concentration of tertiary institutions (three universities, two technikons and numerous other education, training and research institutions) places Cape Town at the forefront of South Africa's knowledge economy. </font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wage levels compare competitively with other industrialised countries. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Typical Monthly Wages or Salaries: </font></p> <ul> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Unskilled          R1,000 - R3,400     US$166 - US$566 </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Secretary          R2,500 - R9,500     US$417 - US$1,583 </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Skilled              R4,000 - R12,000   US$667 - US$2,000 </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Professional      R6,000 - R20,000   US$1,000 - US$3,334 </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Management     R8,500 - R25,000   US$1,417 - US$4,167 </font> </ul> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Infrastructure</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The ports of Cape Town and Saldanha offer excellent shipping and cargo services, and well-developed road and rail networks strategically link Cape Town and the province with the rest of South Africa and its neighbouring countries. Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), the main gateway to the Western Cape, has experienced dramatic growth in international passenger traffic (the airport handles nearly 5 million passengers annually). Recently, Cape Town International was rated as the top airport in the world in its class. The city of Cape Town is currently connected by direct scheduled flights to 23 major cities in 19 countries. In addition, a one-flight connection via either Johannesburg or Durban (both of which are about two hours flying time from Cape Town) links the city to 59 cities in 52 countries. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          In terms of <b>IT infrastructure</b>, Cape Town is serviced by a fibre opticbased Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). International links are fed via submarine cable and satellite networks. Cape Town is connected to Europe and the United States via the SAT2 fibre optic submarine cable, and cables are currently being laid for a link to the Far East. Cape Town lies in the same time zones (GMT+2) as large parts of Europe, thus facilitating communications and eliminating jet lag for international travellers. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          Eskom, South Africa's national <b>electricity</b> utility, offers among the lowest industrial electricity rates in the world about one third of the cost in Japan and Germany, and half of that in the UK and USA. Rated the fifth largest electricity utility in the world by sales, it generates 95 percent of the country's electricity and more than half the total electricity consumed in Africa. Electricity is supplied at 220 volts. The region also has a well-developed water supply infrastructure. Planned expansions of dams, diversions of rivers, and the development of alternate sources, such as underground water and desalination of sea water, will ensure an adequate supply of water for the future. A comprehensive water demand management programme is to be expanded to control the ever-increasing demand for the resource. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The city's natural splendour, cultural diversity and colourful history, have made it increasingly attractive for international conferences and meetings of global leaders. The <b>Cape Town International Convention Centre</b> (CTICC), which opened in June 2003, will further help Cape Town cement its leading edge position on the continent. Set in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the CTICC offers a purpose built, state-of-the-art convention facility with hi-tech infrastructure. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          Important regional towns in the province include <b>Saldanha Bay</b>, an important harbour for iron ore exports and the fishing industry; <b>Mossel Bay</b>, the home of PetroSA, a modern petrochemical facility, which processes natural gas into fuel; <b>Worcester</b> and <b>Stellenbosch</b> in the heart of the winelands; <b>George</b>, renowned for indigenous timber and vegetable produce and the venue for the 2003 President's Cup Golf; <b>Oudtshoorn</b>, known for its ostrich products and Cango Caves, and <b>Beaufort West</b> on the dry, sheep-farming plains of the Great Karoo. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">New Industries and Priority Sectors</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          Traditionally, agriculture and fishing-related activities formed the base of the Western Cape economy. Now, value-adding industries underpin future growth prospects. Over the last ten years, industry's emphasis has shifted from the export of commodity/raw products to the export of high-value manufactured quality products. Food, wine and tobacco products constitute approximately 50% of total exports of goods. Exports of non-food products constitute the additional 50%. Increased growth in the export of service-oriented industries has also taken place. These include business process outsourcing, tourism, information technology software and services, film and oil & gas repair services. Many products and services have moved up the value chain in recent years, further increasing their competitive advantages. Of the region's growth sectors, information technology, food processing, metals processing, tourism and film-making represent some of the sectors with the highest potential for growth and investment. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Priority sectors for business opportunities are: </font></p> <ul> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Resource Based Industries - Agriculture and agro-processing, Marine- and Aqua-culture, Oil and Gas, </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Manufacturing - Metals and Engineering, Automotive components, Leisure yacht and boat building, Clothing, Textiles, Furniture, Jewellery, Crafts </font> <li><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Services - Oil and Gas supplies, ICT, Call Centres and Business Process Outsourcing, Biotechnology, Film and Multimedia, Property Development and Construction, Tourism, Financial and Professional services </font> </ul> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Preferential access to world markets</font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          The Western Cape has advantageous access to world markets via preferential trade agreements between South Africa and other major markets such as Europe, facilitated by the SA-EU free trade agreement, and the United States, supported by the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The UK is the biggest export market for Western Cape products and services, followed by the USA. The Western Cape also has access to regional markets within SADC. SADC consists of 13 member states. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) free trade agreement should be fully implemented by 2008. This agreement is set to play a key roll in fostering regional prosperity as it encourages intra-regional trade and promotes investment and technology transfer. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">          In Asia, South Africa's trade relationship with Japan - its largest trading partner in the region (and its fourth largest trading partner, overall) - continues to thrive. Japan is the sixth biggest export market for Western Cape products. Other emerging markets for Western Cape products and services include Brazil, Australia and Canada. </font></p> <p>They enjoy the highest per capita income, life expectancy and the second highest literacy rates and educational achievement levels in South Africa. The unemployment rate is also the lowest in South Africa, at 13%.</p> <p>apartment, beach, bulgaria, Bulgaria, buy, california, California, camps bay, Camps Bay, Cape Town, cape west, capetown, Capetown, clifton, Clifton, condominium, co-ownership, costa, costa blanca, costa brava, costa del sol, cote d'azur, countryside, croatia, Croatia, culture, data, deal, developer, development, education, emigrate, emigration, estate agent, evidence, farmstead, flat, florida, Florida, Frog, Frog Properties, fund, garden, golf, government, growth, growth fund, guide, healthcare, holiday home, home, house, information, infrastructure, investment, investment fund, land, loan, mortgage, new zealand, New Zealand, newcombe, Newcombe, pension, pension fund, penthouse, plot, price, prices, profit, property, property market, purchase, recreation, reference, relocate, relocation, rent, rental market, retirement, safe, sailing, security, sell, shared ownership, simonstown, South Africa, Spain, spain, sport, st helena, St Helena, statistics, stellenbosch, table mountain, tennis, timeshare, townhouse, vacation, villa, western cape, Western Cape, westerncape, wine, winery</p> <h1>Clear, comprehensive information about the Western Cape</h1> <p>property, investment, reference data, infrastructure resources, lifestyle and geography. No adverts. No selling.</p> <p>The Western Cape or Cape West</p> <p>South Africas Western Cape province is truly one of the most desirable places on earth to live and work. It is like New Zealand or California or Florida or the Spanish Costas. Wonderful climate, and beautiful scenery and geography and beaches. With one of the worlds most attractive cities, Cape Town and its exclusive suburbs Clifton and Camps Bay. Many British people have moved there. It is a safe and secure area with a modern well developed infrastructure of roads and telecommunications. Excellent education system including schools, colleges and universities.</p> <p>This is a great place to buy property or to invest in property, with a stable and rising market and where properties are comparatively cheap compared with other places in the world that are as attractive. The countryside includes wineries and farmsteads. You can play golf and live in one the many lush golf condominiums. Or play tennis, or sail or indulge in one of many watersports. The language spoken is English.</p> <p>You can find and purchase land or plots. Or buy an apartment or a villa to live and work in, or as a holiday home or second home or as a great investment with secure growth potential. Urban, rural or suburban.</p> <p>This website is a guide to the Western Cape, clear comprehensive information about the Western Cape.</p> <p>Apartment, beach, bulgaria, Bulgaria, buy, california, California, camps bay, Camps Bay, Cape Town, cape west, capetown, Capetown, clifton, Clifton, condominium, co-ownership, costa, costa blanca, costa brava, costa del sol, cote d'azur, countryside, croatia, Croatia, culture, data, deal, developer, development, education, emigrate, emigration, estate agent, evidence, farmstead, flat, florida, Florida, Frog, Frog Properties, fund, garden, golf, government, growth, growth fund, guide, healthcare, holiday home, home, house, information, infrastructure, investment, investment fund, land, loan, mortgage, new zealand, New Zealand, newcombe, Newcombe, pension, pension fund, penthouse, plot, price, prices, profit, property, property market, purchase, recreation, reference, relocate, relocation, rent, rental market, retirement, safe, sailing, security, sell, shared ownership, simonstown, South Africa, Spain, spain, sport, st helena, St Helena, statistics, stellenbosch, table mountain, tennis, timeshare, townhouse, vacation, villa, western cape, Western Cape, westerncape, wine, winery.</p> </body>