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The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is a State-Owned Enterprise (SoE) in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), based in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality with operations throughout South Africa. The corporation is mandated to develop and operate the 9 003 Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which was established in 1999. The Coega SEZ was gazetted by the Minister, Dr Rob Davies (Government Gazette No. 40883 on 2 June 2017) in terms of section 39(2) of the SEZ Act No. 16 of 2014 ( “SEZ Act “), replacing the Government Gazette No. 21803 of 1 December 2000) made in terms of the Manufacturing Development Act No. 187 of 1993. The CDC’s vision is to be the leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic growth. Its mission is to provide a competitive investment location supported by value-added business services that effectively enables socio- economic development in the Eastern Cape and the rest of South Africa. Therefore, our role at the CDC is that of project development, export promotion and FDI promotion, with a focus on investment promotion for both generation and manufacturing projects into the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). To achieve this objective, the CDC’ Strategic Plan is well aligned with the mandate outlined by the SEZ Act No 16 of 2014. To achieve excellence in the delivery of value to our stakeholders over the past 20 years, the CDC has evolved the strategy, diversify product offering, and delivered a value proposition that has made it Number 1 Special Economic Zone in Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a campaign to raise $100 billion (R 1, 4 trillion) over the next 5 five years. To support this initiative, the Coega SEZ has made significant strides to promote SA and attract FDI into the country. The Coega Special Economic Zone serves as a transhipment hub and one-stop metropolis for all things export-related, it currently boost 45 operational investors (local & international). Over eighty percent (80%) of these companies have seen an increase in their productivity and profits since starting operations in the zone, with the benefits being felt throughout the Eastern Cape and in areas where the CDC is operating. Current investment at Coega is R11.579 billion in private sector investment and R9.530 billion in FDI. Coega has won numerous prestigious awards of excellence, which include the Department of Trade and Industry’s Investor of the Year award 2019. In addition Coega is ISO certified in various standards, which include ISO 9001:2015; ISO 14001:2015; ISO 45001:2018; ISO 20000-1:2011; and ISO 27001:2013. Since inception in 1999, the CDC as a SoC involved in the development of the Coega SEZ and as one of the leading infrastructure development and facilities management agency in the country (IA) has created a total number of 120,990 jobs (direct and indirect), thus making a significant and positive impact on the lives of millions of people who rely on these opportunities for development. By year-end 2019/20, the CDC is projecting to increase the number of operational investors in the Coega SEZ to 50, which would entrench Coega as the most successful and leading SEZ in Africa in recent years. It aims to drive local and foreign direct investments in export-oriented industries - positioning South Africa as the hub for Southern African trade. It is purpose-designed following the cluster model, which strategically positions related and synergistic industries and their supply chains in close proximity to one another in order to maximise efficiency and minimise turnaround times. The Coega SEZ is demarcated into 14 zones, with the focus being placed on the following sectors: • Metals/Metallurgical • Automotive • Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) • Chemicals • Agro-processing • Logistics • Trade Solutions • Energy • Maritime CEO Today Global Awards 2020 SOUTH AFRICA 95 www.ceotodaymagazine.com