CONSTRUCTION of the multimillion rand International Convention Centre on the foreshore is seen by the City of Cape Town Council as the start of a new era of prosperity and economic development for the region.
Thousands of jobs will be created in construction, catering, tourism and related industries when building starts in April this year. The investment signifies a new confidence in the city as a future economic powerhouse in Africa.

Councillor Kent Morkel, the City of Cape Town's Executive Committee member responsible for Economic and Social Development, believes the funding contributed by the City of Cape Town Council towards the massive project is proof of its commitment to the project.

"For a start, thousands of jobs will be created in the construction industry," he said. "economic benefits from the wages paid to workers will have a big impact on the lives of their families and the communities where unemployment has always been a problem."

The development is fully in line with the council's vision of a city in which local government, in partnership with all citizens, fights crime, creates jobs and combats the spread of Aids.

"We believe the convention centre will be the spark to ignite further development and planning processes with the emphasis on investment, job creation, economic development, infrastructural improvements and tourism," Councillor Morkel said.

"The development will also breathe new life into the foreshore and the city as well as increasing property values and generating additional rates income."

Local government, including the former Cape Metropolitan Council, initiated the process to make Cape Town a world-class destination and to capitalize on the huge international market for conventions.

Cape Town is already in the world's top 50 convention destinations and experts believe a world-class convention centre, with two auditoria for 1 500 and 600 people and exhibition space of 12 000 square metres, will attract thousands more tourists from abroad and elsewhere in the country.

"The City of Cape Town Council will continue to demonstrate its confidence in the city as a magnet for investment," said Councillor Morkel. "The council puts its money where its mouth is. Every citizen in the Cape Metropolitan Area will benefit from this initiative."