Doing business
Coming together
To ensure this, Bitou Municipality has instituted the "Coming Together" initiative, which aims to overcome the problems of the dual nature of the area's economy, which has led to economic activity being concentrated in one section of town.Local Economic Development
Bitou Municipality aims to stimulate, strengthen and improve the economy for sustainable growth by 2014. In order to achieve the goal of growing the economy by 5% a year, the municipality proposes to create a favourable environment for business. To do this, it aims to:- Develop skills by establishing entrepreneurial skills for at least 20 entrepreneurs.
- Reduce unemployment, especially in the women and youth categories, by 6% by June 2010.
- Grow the economy by 6% a year by 2014.
- Establish a minimum of three BEE business a year as well as effectively promoting Bitou as a tourism destination to both domestic and international markets.
- Increase the capital budget for by 10%, especially for infrastructure spending; and
- Reduce the waiting period for commercial building plans.
Economic empowerment
The municipality believes black economic empowerment is crucial to local economic development and will use 15% of its budget to benefit BEEs. It is committed to reviewing its supply changes and annually promoting 5% of BEE businesses to the next level or grade.Unemployment
Unemployment has fallen from 26% in 2001 to 15.7% in 2007. But unemployment levels in Bitou are still unacceptably high, with more than 30% of households having no income. The municipality is committed halve unemployment by 2014 through facilitating and encouraging job creation. To achieve this, it will:- Implement the EPWP programme for all infrastructure development programmes;
- Provide skills training to at least 200 people a year;
- Encourage the Department of Labour to monitor the implementation of the minimum wage policy; and
- Recruit volunteers for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Transport
The area is well served by an extensive and maintained roads network. The N2 runs through Plettenberg Bay, linking the area to markets. There is also the Plett Airport, which provides aviation opportunities.Opportunities
Bitou offers the following opportunities and potential for growth:- Human capacity is available and can be developed to contribute to development and growth.
- Presence of other government services (SAPS, Social Development and SASSA).
- A well-developed tourism industry.
- Bitou has a stable economy.
- The forests around Bitou and coast provide opportunities for the timber industry, furniture production and alien clearance and conservation.
- The N2 that bisects Plettenberg Bay links the area to markets.
- Airport provides aviation opportunities.
- Good summer weather and warmth of Indian Ocean attracts European and UK tourists.
- A bilateral agreement between Bitou and Belgium.
This information is drawn from the IDP Review 2008/9.