Economic plans for Drakenstein
2006-12-07
A LOCAL Economic Development Forum for Drakenstein will be launched in February. The forum will consist of business, labour, civil society and government and will meet on a quarterly basis.
Local economic development roleplayers will sign the LED Charter which will be a summary of the plan and a commitment of its implementation.
Gershwin Fouldien, LED officer, and Councillor Harisha Douman (ID) spoke to Paarl Post after the recent LED summit, and emphasised that job creation, involving all roleplayers, was paramount.
The LED programme will have a number of strategic thrusts:
* Reducing poverty and enhancing the resources of the poor with adequate investment in the bulk, community and business infrastructure to facilitate economic development in poor areas. Densification around the towns is required to support this.
* Developing the economy, formal and informal, through an integrated tourism plan for Drakenstein, improved signage and branding, the expansion of the domestic market and support for tourism operators, festivals, shows and the 2010 World Cup. This includes development of a marketing strategy in order to promote the area as a preferred destination to invest, work and live.
* Cross-cutting support mechanisms to provide business support and promotion for informal traders, small businesses and co-operatives, and a comprehensive skills development strategy that promotes continuous education including early childhood development and adult literacy.
* Partnering with the existing educational institutions to ensure that entrepreneurship training is incorporated into programmes.
* Facilitating sector-based skills training to reduce the mismatch between the unemployed and the skills required by employers, particularly in the manufacturing, hospitality and agricultural sectors.
Anyone interested in becoming involved, can contact Fouldien at 807-4500 or GershwinF@ drakenstein.gov.za. - Susan Botha
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