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Department: Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism %uf0b7 On the Economic Development fund, the biggest challenge was related to lack of governance and review of the ED funds framework which hinder the late transfer of funds to ECDC in December 2024. %uf0b7 On the LRED front, the biggest challenge has been the poor quality of applications received and the monitoring thereof. There is also a challenge of coordination since several departments and municipalities are involved in LRED programme; and %uf0b7 On tourism, the Eastern Cape lacks the ability to retain its international tourists, hence the number of international tourists into the province vary every period. The Eastern Cape remains in the 8th most visited province followed by the Northern Cape, while Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State continue to capture most international tourists and spending due to established tourism products and brands. 3 OUTLOOK FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR (2025/26) The department aim to attract 4 investments with a value of R700 million to contribute 5 715 jobs on manufacturing and services as well as construction through ELSEZ. DEDEAT further aim to attract 120 investments with a value of R450 million to contribute 720 jobs opportunities on renewable energy through ECDC. The department furthermore planned to attract 7 investments with a value of R550 million on manufacturing and construction through CSEZ and contribute 4 670 jobs on manufacturing and 10 700 operational job opportunities and further planned contribution to skills and development by training of 3 055 people. The work will continue to support 3 sustainable energy such as Wind Farm, Green hydrogen and Transmission Grid Development initiative, 4 manufacturing, 3 Agro-processing and 3 trade and investment promotion initiatives. The department will support 200 MSME with non-financial support such as business training, development of plans and marketing and 400 MSME with financial support (loans and financial incentives). A total of 200 black-owned, women-owned, and youth-owned businesses will be supported through enterprise development initiatives for boost small business. A total of 60 informal businesses and 200 cooperatives will be supported. Work on the Oceans economy will continue with various streams although no additional resources have been allocated for this function. Due to deficiencies in data, the department will continue to partner with Statistics South Africa to develop credible business intelligence. The department will continue to focus on tourism development and transformation as well as heritage tourism and aims to generate total amount of R22.087 million on revenue by attracting 7.500 million tourists from 2025 -2030 through ECPTA. More effort will be made to market the province through digital platforms. Through the ECLB the department will process its target of 80 per cent fully compliant liquor license applications, as well as undertake social responsibility programmes and reach 150 000 people through liquor awareness interventions in the province. The number of Gambling licences has reached current legislative thresholds, and 4 gambling license is targeted for 2025/26, to be issued through the ECGB. This will further enhance revenue collection going forward. A target of R230.946 million has been set for revenue collection through the ECGB. The ECGB will implement 7 Gambling Economic Opportunities Awareness sessions throughout the province and conduct 110 inspections. In support of sustainable environmental management and sustainable economic development the department will strive to process all environmental-related applications within legislated timeframes. The department under biodiversity programme intends to issue more than 80 per cent of Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) permits in 2025/26. 620