The Western Cape has set its sights firmly on the global marketplace. Provincial Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Dr Ivan Meyer has launched the Western Cape Export Strategy 2035, a roadmap that positions expanded market access as a key driver of economic growth, investment and job creation.
“Growth for Jobs is our vision. The Export Strategy is our roadmap. Market access is the bridge that connects Western Cape businesses to global opportunity, investment and jobs,” Meyer said at the launch on Wednesday, as reported by SAnews.
Bold targets for 2035
The strategy gives practical effect to the province’s Growth for Jobs vision, which aims to build a R1 trillion Western Cape economy growing inclusively at between 4% and 6% a year. By 2035, the province intends to:
- Significantly increase the total value of Western Cape exports;
- Grow the number of active exporters by 1,000;
- Unlock at least 10 new export product opportunities;
- Accelerate broader economic growth through export-led expansion.
Meyer said the domestic market alone cannot deliver the level of growth needed to create sustainable employment, and that exporting helps businesses access new markets, improve competitiveness, drive innovation and build resilience.
Businesses lead, government enables
The province is already home to world-class exporters across agriculture, manufacturing, technology and services, and the strategy aims to help more businesses enter export markets while existing exporters grow their international footprint.
Its focus areas include improving access to international markets, strengthening compliance with global standards, leveraging trade agreements, enhancing logistics and export infrastructure, and advocating for the removal of trade barriers.
“Government does not export; businesses export, businesses invest, businesses innovate, and businesses create jobs. Our role is to create the conditions that enable exporters to succeed,” Meyer said, thanking Wesgro, provincial departments, municipalities, export councils, industry associations and exporters for helping shape the plan.
Measured in jobs, not documents
Meyer was clear that success will be judged by outcomes rather than the publication itself. “Our success will be measured by new markets opened, new exporters supported, new investment secured and new jobs created,” he said, calling the strategy “a commitment to action and a commitment to building a more competitive, resilient and inclusive economy.”
For a farmer in the Swartland, a manufacturer in Atlantis or a tech start-up in Stellenbosch, the message is the same: when businesses gain market access, they gain the opportunity to grow – and when businesses grow, jobs follow. The full strategy is available on the Western Cape Government website.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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