City of Durban General Information Directory

22 investment facilitation, marketing, free advisory services and project management to attract new business and retain existing business in the City.

DIPA was recommended by the Durban City Council and organised private business as the appropriate vehicle to stimulate economic growth and new investment in the Durban metropolis.

DIPA’s main purpose is to “Facilitate sustainable investment in Durban for the benefit of all” through the: • Expansion, retention and aftercare of local corporate business within the Metro; • Proactive investment promotion and marketing of Durban Metro as an premium investment destination; • Proactive communication and marketing of the City’s large investment projects and core strategies; • Identification and development of new investment & business infrastructure opportunities, especially for the previously disadvantaged groups; • Attraction, support and facilitation for prospective foreign investors in Durban; • Improvement in the investment and economic development environment, in partnership with the National, Provincial, City and Business Authorities; DIPA co-operates closely with Department of Trade & Industry including Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA), Trade and Investment KZN (TIKZN), the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, other parastatals such as the DBSA, IDC and Eskom, along with other financiers and organised business to promote economic growth and investment in Durban. This is done synergistically with the other Units & City Enterprises of eThekwini Municipality where required. We also leverage off the SA Foreign Offices abroad, plus the Foreign Consular Corps located in KZN. We strive to offer a world-class City service and investor promotion, facilitation and retention activities by: • Following a focussed investor relationship management, marketing and communication strategy, with a strong focus on BEE; • Making available appropriate and specific city and nationally based economic and sector information; • Facilitating the arrangement of appropriate meetings with the city's business and public sectors at all levels; • Arranging, and where required, lead site visits to industrial and commercial premises, along with introductions to complementary businesses, Empowerment Executives and financial organisations; • Enhancing and assisting certain processes and applications through the Durban Metro Council, S.A. Revenue Services, Dept. of Home Affairs, Dept. of Trade & Industry, etc. whilst attempting to reduce any bottlenecks in the new investment process; • Making available city-based opportunity studies, both directly and through local and foreign offices; • Providing regular feedback and advice on economic development trends and new business establishments in the Metro.

DIPA abides by its philosophy of being “Online Line – On Time – Every Time” thus ensuring that business investors’ needs are always met efficiently and effectively 24 hours a day. With the incorporation of DIPA into the City’s structures, Durban now has a greater complementary, catalytic City Team that is helping to make it one of the most internationally attractive cities for investment.

Full Services Suite DIPA offers a single window of access to the investor by offering the following: FREE Investment Services: