uMngeni Municipality’s Department of Economic Development and growth was established based on the following strategic objectives:

 

 

To ensure implementation of the above strategic objectives, the Departmental of Economic Development & Growth is structured as follows:

 

The Department is continuously exploring ways to increase inward investment in skills and technology, property and sustainable development. As Economic Development and Growth Department, we continuously promote ongoing investment and development through the provision of services at affordable, competitive prices, efficient service and a safe and secure environment. Business permissions are tailored to the needs of the changing economy. Investment promotion is through the following:

 

 

As the Department we are entrusted with supporting local businesses by ensuring that local economies are robust and inclusive. We do this through the fostering of public private partnership (PPP). Thus uMngeni Economic Development Forum was established. By this we are ensuring that economic growth is sustainable, because we allow participation of all sectors through representation. We exist to actively promote broad-based transformation of the local economy by instituting a range of measures, including the following:

 

·                    Ensuring that uMngeni Municipality’s procurement policy have a preferential bias towards local businesses achieving the BEE codes and practices, labour intensity in methods and a percentage target for start-up business and co-operatives;

·                    Ensuring that business development conducted in the local economy through Business Linkage Centres and agencies is encouraged, promoted and monitored;

·                    Assessing Industry clusters to ensure that competitiveness and business channels are in place, thereby ensuring the link between big and small businesses;

·                    Constantly assessing and supporting the Informal Sector of the economy through skills development, facilities, special charges to enter into the formal economy;

·                    Development of the uMngeni Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Strategy;

·                    Constantly reviewing Bylaws to ensure that the regulations fit in with the demands of a changing economy;

·                    The building of local development capital will be monitored and harnessed as inward investments where possible; and

·                    Promoting the training, assistance, monitoring and mentoring of emerging entrepreneurs.

 

A significant percentage of the high-potential agricultural land in the Midlands Meander falls within uMngeni Municipality. This provides an opportunity for agricultural sector growth. Intensive agriculture through mixed land use, beneficiation of agricultural produce as well as organic food production and aquaculture will be facilitated and encouraged through the promotion of agricultural exports. Forestry industry will be transformed through the establishment of community private partnerships. Small-scale forestry opportunities will be created.

 

The Department strives to facilitate the promotion of the economy, creation of jobs and safe and secure environment, by establishing a tourism destination that is domestically and internationally competitive.

 

The core functions of the unit include the following:

 

·                    Managing and promoting the transformation of the tourism industry in terms of growth and participation;

·                    Developing, manage and facilitate the implementation of tourism project within uMngeni Municipality

·                    Serving as a liaison between uMngeni Community Tourism Associations (CTA’s) and the Council, and other stakeholders outside the Municipality.

·                    Ensuring co-coordinated development and promotion of tourism in the area.

·                    Promoting and marketing uMngeni Municipality as a leading tourist destination.

 

 

 

 

 

The Objectives of the unit are:

 

1.                  To promote tourism as a viable economic sector;

2.                  To ensure co-coordinated development and promotion of tourism in the area;

3.                  To organise and facilitate annual events within uMngeni Municipality;

4.                  To educate and inform tourist about the area and its various experiences;

5.                  To create positive image of the area and the Midlands brand; and

6.                  To foster tourism awareness with the view of educating communities about the importance and the benefits of tourism in the area.