Page 48 - Demo

Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) %u2013 2025/26 Financial YearEmployment by Economic Sectors Trade and Transport: The trade sector is a key driver of employment in the province, recorded an increase of from 284,000 jobs in Q4 of 2023 to 295,000 in Q4 of 2024. The Transport Sector also recorded steady gains, reaching 101,000 jobs, reflecting increased economic activity and logistics demand. Construction: The Construction sector is a key employer in the Province, employment has remained relatively high, recording 126,000 jobs in Q4 of 2024, almost matching its Q4 of 2023 level. This suggests ongoing infrastructure projects and government investment in development initiatives continue to benefit this industry. Manufacturing: The Manufacturing sector is critical for growth, expanded significantly, increasing from 105,000 jobs in Q4 2023 to 139,000 in Q4 of 2024. This resurgence highlights renewed confidence in the sector, possibly linked to improving business conditions, electricity supply and supply chain improvements. Agriculture: The Agriculture Sector recorded a rise in employment to a high of 124,000 in Q3 of 2024, before dropping to 90,000 in Q4 of 2024, reflecting seasonal employment patterns. Private Household: The Private Household sector includes domestic work, recorded a notable increase from 94,000 in Q4 of 2023 to 113,000 in Q4 of 2024, highlighting growing demand for household services. Priorities and Interventions to Accelerate Provincial Economic Growth For the South African economy to grow high levels of fixed investment, both private and public, are required. To resuscitate provincial economic growth, the provincial government will continue to prioritise and strengthen its interventions in the following areas: %uf0b7 Private sector investment promotion & facilitating investments by SOEs in economicinfrastructure in support of local industrial and sector development.%uf0b7 Strengthening provincial government capacity in infrastructure planning, financing anddelivery.%uf0b7 Leveraging provincial economic assets within the Special Economic Zones for investmentattraction and industrial development.%uf0b7 Industry/sector value chains development and transformation focusing on - support foragriculture and agro-processing, access roads linking economic production nodes &tourism sites to markets, industrial parks revitalisation, auto sector, tourism development,film and other creative industries, and support sustainable green energy.%uf0b7 Financial and non-financial support to MSMEs, and the continued implementation of theLocal Economic Development Procurement Framework.%uf0b7 Investing in ICT, digital economy and broadband connectivity.%uf0b7 Youth development initiatives and youth skills programmes.27