By Nangamso Mabindla
17 May 2006

BUSINESS must work with the municipality to sustain the current wave of economic development in Buffalo City - this is the plea of Mayor Zintle Peter.

With new investments and developments in the East London Development Zone and the planned extension of the port, Buffalo City was well on its way to increasing economic growth, she said.

It was also doing well in property growth and Peter said this growth had led to a world-renowned business showing courage and confidence in Buffalo City.

Peter's speech was delivered on her behalf at the opening of property group Pam Golding's new premises in East London.

"We salute Pam Golding and thank [it] for showing confidence in our city, which we believe will soon ride the cusp of a development wave unmatched in our modern history."

Property development was big in Buffalo City, with new developments in places like Beacon Bay, Abbattsford, Berea and Amalinda.

Peter said the City would not sit on the sidelines as a bystander in economic development - the municipality was going to assist businesses in their efforts to improve the city's economy.

One of the tools the municipality aimed to use was the City Development Strategy, which provides a framework for economic growth, making the city sustainable and equitable through pro-poor policies, strategies and actions.

"I want to take this opportunity to reach out to the business community to form meaningful partnerships with us so that we can help the city to become the outstanding investment destination that it can be and a place we all can truly call home," Peter concluded.