Located just an hour-and-a-half south of Durban, the once small seaside town of Port Shepstone is fast being established as an economic hub on the KZN South Coast. And those looking for key investment opportunities won’t be disappointed by this thriving oceanside economy.
“Port Shepstone has always been a popular tourism destination, but the past few years have seen the town developing into a strategic economic and cultural hub, boasting a wide variety of investment opportunities across all sectors,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “Our role is to connect potential investors with the many opportunities found here, while facilitating all processes to make doing business on the KZN South Coast as inviting as possible.”
As the official economic development arm of the region, SCTIE was formed when two entities, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) and Ugu South Coast Development Agency (USCDA), amalgamated this year. This unity was able to bring together a vast amount of experience and resources, with the team proactively identifying and unlocking the area’s full potential.
SCTIE has also partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to establish a One Stop Shop office in the KZN South Coast. This aims to improve the efficiency of doing business and ensuring investors have access to municipal incentives in the district.
Situated between the vibrant coastal towns of Hibberdene and Margate, Port Shepstone has emerged as the area’s the administrative, educational, distribution and commercial centre. As such, the area has key business-driving services including the major banks, government departments and South African Revenue Service (SARS) offices. Port Shepstone is also the seat for both Ray Nkonyeni and Ugu District municipalities, with many businesses using the town as a base for their head offices.
When it comes to events, from business conferences through to sports, Port Shepstone is considered a prime destination. The area offers a wide variety of accommodation, conferencing and banqueting venues, as well as quality dining options. Its seaside proximity and many iconic tourism sites continue to establish this as a MICE destination.
The area has a year-round subtropical climate and nutrient-rich soil which create the perfect conditions for agriculture – a fact which is made evident by the surrounding farmlands. The women-owned BBS Farm is a great example of the agricultural and agritourism opportunities in Port Shepstone and surrounds. The tomatoes and macadamias grown here are internationally sourced, with BBS Farm forming one of the stops on the popular Agri-CULTURE Tours offering.
The area’s manufacturing potential remains abundant, with the textile industry in Marburg and successful furniture manufacturing in the region are good indicators of what is to come with the right vision and investment. And with Port Shepstone situated on the N2 with easy accessibility to King Shaka International Airport and Durban Harbour, the potential for a thriving logistics industry is waiting to be untapped. The location of the KZN South Coast means it’s also a gateway to the Eastern Cape connecting the economies of these regions.
The ocean economy adjacent to Port Shepstone also boasts a number of investment opportunities, from the established tourism economy through to renewable energy production, sustainable fisheries and even maritime transport.
And considering the growing trend of coastal estates as primary residential options, Port Shepstone is a valuable real estate asset. Recent reports indicate that the KZN South Coast is becoming more in demand as people consider ‘semigration’ living, whereby they retain jobs inland and work remotely from the coast. Considering the cost-effectiveness of KZN South Coast properties compared with other coastal regions, alongside the attractive lifestyle and climate, the demand is only set to grow. Opportunities abound in terms of estate living, resorts, retail and educational offerings with ample undeveloped municipal land which is just primed for investors.
“Port Shepstone is really the gateway to the KZN South Coast, and is just primed for great investment opportunities,” continued Mangu. “It’s really just a matter of who gets in first. We’re ready to assist investors, both locally and internationally, who are looking for a low-risk opportunity that promises massive return on investment.”
To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s many investment opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/.
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