Cape Town: The economic landscape of the city has reached an exciting milestone with the official registration of the transfer of the city-owned properties to the Atlantis Special Economic Zones (ASEZ).
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos announced the achievement and said that it is a defining moment in the city’s efforts to drive industrial investment, create jobs and unlock economic opportunities. The ASEZ is developing and it is a catalyst for sustainable economic expansion.
Vos reflected on the journey and highlighted that from the outset, they remained committed to make this vision a reality. Seeing this, it has come to fruition now and is incredibly rewarding.
ASEZ is a game-changer for Atlantis and for broader economy of Cape Town, by providing a dedicated hub for green technology industries. It has attracted major investment and has paved the way for new employment opportunities and long-term growth.
Alderman James Vos emphasised upon the strategic importance of the land transfer. He stated that in 2020, the City of Cape Town has taken a decisive step to approve the transfer and ensured that the land would be used to support the development of the ASEZ. The move aligns with the commitment to sustainable industrial growth and reinforces the position of Cape Town as a leader in the green economy.
CEO of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone for Green Technologies – Matt Cullinan underscored the importance of the city’s approach. He said that the ASEZ is a testament to the proactive use of land of the City of Cape Town and in its portfolio to support and stimulate private sector investment in strategic sectors.
According to Cullinan, this was initially done by earmarking city-owned land in Atlantis for green manufacturing and then through the innovative land-for-shares deal with the ASEZ. On this basis and with ongoing support, they are seeing growing private sector investment.
Alderman Vos acknowledged the power of partnerships, emphasising the achievement that would not have been possible without the collaboration of the partners including the Western Cape Government, from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and key industry stakeholders. Their support was instrumental in making their vision a reality.
Looking forward, the work does not stop here. The Economic Growth team is committed to ensure that the ASEZ reaches its full potential as a driver of inclusive and sustainable prosperity. He further expressed that he is expecting to see the continuous zone to grow, create even more jobs and investment opportunities for the people of Cape Town.