The area prides itself on being a hub of regional, national and international business, providing modern conferencing
facilities and venues, this is a place " where the games never stop and the conferences keep happening. The Metro has a
sound infrastructure, which includes sophisticated services, communication systems and health care. The metro has been described as
"an example to the rest of the country in its constructive efforts to make NMB one of the most growth-oriented cities
in the "new" South Africa".
The financial infrastructure of the Metro is well established. All the major banks, building societies and insurance companies
as well as the post office and telephone companies have their provincial regional offices in Port Elizabeth.
They are connected with all the major financial centres of Southern Africa and the rest of the world. Their managements
have international exposure and their administrations are based on the most advanced technology.
The Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage area is a manufacturing powerhouse for South Africa. Companies located here are also ideally placed
for exporting to the international market. They are especially equipped, in terms of labour and infrastructure, for value - added
assignments in every sector of the formal economy, but particularly in manufacturing and the Motor Industry has been a massive contributor
to the local and South African economy since the 1920's.
The Nelson Mandela Metro, undoubtedly the motor manufacturing mecca of Africa, is home to a vibrant and ever-growing industry
which provides the basis of the region's manufacturing capacity. The largest car manufacturer in the country, Volkswagen South
Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, is situated in Uitenhage. Delta Motor Corporation is a locally owned organization
with a 49% General Motor's shareholding. This strong link with the world's largest automotive company provides Delta with significant
advantages not least of which is access to international markets.
The Nelson Mandela Metro's capabilities as a manufacturer and supplier of automotive components and after market parts has been
firmly established, the European Union is the largest export destination for local component exports at the moment.
Some of the more important industrial business in the metro and surrounding areas is a R100-million "clean" power generation
plant in the process of being established. Other businesses includes: Agriculture, banking institutions, bookkeeping,
business consultants, Business services, Car dealers, Catering, Clothing manufacturers & distributors, Computer sales, services
& training, Construction, Estate agents, Education, Electricity, gas & water distributors, Engineering services, Fishing enterprises,
Furniture shops & manufacturers, Hardware, building supplies, Insurance, Legal practices, Medical suppliers, Nurseries, florist,
garden services, Petrol and oil companies, Quarrying and mining, Retail business, Security, private investigators, Supermarkets,
fruit & vegetables, Social & personnel services, Transport and many more.
According to a report issued by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, 16555 businesses in the Nelson Mandela Metro are
registered with them as at October 2003.
South Africa's newest deepwater port is being developed on the Coega River, 20 kilometres
east of Port Elizabeth in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. A channel gouged out by an ancient glacier to form the mouth
of the Coega River allows the economic development of a deepwater port with a maximum draught estimated at 23 metres. The Ngqura
deepwater port will complement the existing deepwater ports on the South African coastline at Richard's Bay on the east coast and
Saldanha Bay on South Africa's west coast.
The depth of the channel and its situation in the protected Algoa Bay make it one of the best positions for a harbour on the South
African coast. The bay, which is protected from the prevailing south-westerly winds by a spit of land, has 330 anchor days a year.
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Business