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Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) %u2013 2025/26 Financial Year %uf0b7 Engagement with South African Heads of Diplomatic Mission Designate: Promoting the province%u2019s investment and tourism opportunities to international diplomats. %uf0b7 Eastern Cape Value Proposition: Presenting the province's development plan at business events in China and hosting a German minister for networking. %uf0b7 Project Identification for CSI Partners: Identifying 34 projects for submission to corporate social investment partners. %uf0b7 Ease of Doing Business with the province: A benchmarking engagement was held with the Western Cape to discuss red tape reduction and improve the business environment. These efforts are aimed at fostering international relations, increasing investments, and improving the overall development of the province. Amongst other investment commitments, the department mobilised R200 million investment by FAW Trucks in their plant situated at the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) over the period 2025-2030. This will strengthen the province%u2019s position in the global automotive value chain. On youth development, the department has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the National Skills Fund to create work opportunities for graduate interns and Work-Integrated Learning (WiL) participants, with the program covering up to 24 months. The department continues to encourage graduates to register on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system, and to this end, a database of unemployed graduates in the province has been created. With regards to bursaries, the department has 131 students who are active bursary recipients. Monitoring visits were made to institutions like the University of Stellenbosch, Walter Sisulu University, University of Johannesburg, and Nelson Mandela University to assess the students' welfare and academic progress. The department, in collaboration with Public Works and Infrastructure and the provincial Treasury, coordinated the monthly sittings of the Provincial Infrastructure Coordinating Council (PICC) to ensure that performance reports on infrastructure were escalated to the Executive Council. The effectiveness of the PICC was evident, as both financial and non-financial performance of infrastructure projects showed continued improvement. Towards coordination of the 15 Strategic Infrastructure Projects, the department focused on the profiling/sourcing baseline information on these projects whilst also facilitating interventions in the stalled projects and those at risk of delay due to socio-economic challenges from local stakeholders. %uf0b7 The Mzimvubu Water Project, aimed at boosting the regional economy through water supply, irrigation, hydropower, and job creation, stalled due to interference from local business forums. %uf0b7 The Wolf Wind Farm, which will generate 360 GWh of clean electricity annually and contribute over R200 million in community investment, faced similar challenges. %uf0b7 5 strategic projects are active - Mqanduli Office Park, eMaxesibeni Office Precinct, Coleskop Wind Farm, Welisizwe Bridges Programme and the Butterworth to Centane Road; %uf0b7 3 strategic projects had not commenced due to teething issues in the initiation stages %u2013 Bhisho Office Precinct, BioFuel Development and Liquid Nitrogen Gas (LNG) projects; %uf0b7 1 project implementation plan had to be revised as the initial spatial plan was no longer feasible therefore the project could not commence %u2013 Wild Coast SEZ/Industrial Park; and %uf0b7 The 4 social infrastructure projects under the Departments of Health, Education, Human Settlements and Transport are continuously monitored. Upon learning about risks and potential bottlenecks in two mega projects that have been progressing well, namely Mzimvubu Water Development Project and Wolf Wind Farm Energy project, the department facilitated intervention to ensure their smooth continuation. The department also continued with the implementation of the Small-Town Revitalisation Programme in the identified 16 local municipalities. Projects are at various stages of completion and the focus is on providing water and sanitation, electrification and road infrastructure in the identified municipalities. 109