Overview

The eThekwini Economic Council provides strategic Economic Development and Inclusive Growth advice to the eThekwini Municipality and acts as a sounding board for the Mayor, Municipal Leadership and the Economic Development Unit on matters and initiatives that relates to creating an enabling economic environment within the eThekwini Municipal Area.

The functions of the eThekwini Economic Council are to:

• Advise the Mayor, Council and City Leadership on economic growth and development related policies, strategies and optimal practices for the City.
• Provide support, advice and strategic direction related to investment attraction and retention. 
• Act as a sounding board for the Mayor, Council and City Leadership on business, economic and infrastructure development matters.
• Advise the Mayor, Council and City Leadership on Municipal capital investment and bulk infrastructure development to promote inclusive economic growth and spatial transformation.
• Advise, and where feasible, support the Mayor and City Leadership on creating an enabling business environment, as well as advancing and promoting economic development initiatives.
• Accompany the Mayor, City Leadership and/or Economic Development Managers as part of selected delegation in advancing and promoting economic development initiatives of the City.
• Advise the Mayor, Council and City Leadership in fostering an enabling economic and business environment in the City.
• Provide oversight and monitoring on the implementation of the City's Economic Strategy, called eThekwini's Inclusive Growth Path'.
• Advise on the annual review of the City's economic strategy.
• Provide input and advice on climate change and the risks associated with climate change as well as a just transition to a lower carbon economy.
• Provide input on matters related to the safety and security of citizens and business.
• The Council will form working groups to address specific issues or themes. Each working group will be chaired by a member of the eThekwini Economic Council but may include a broad range of stakeholders who are representative of the sector, including businesses, labour and government.
• Each working group will be chaired by a nominated member of the Council and will report back to the Council at its meetings.
• The eThekwini Economic Council will co-opt members as required for the purposes of furthering the work of the working group and of the overall eThekwini Economic Council.