Capital ofthe Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn, has come a long way from the days of the ostrich barons. The famous bird is still an integral part of the district's economy, but this once tightly-knit community is opening its doors to outside investors with an enticing array of incentives.
The Oudtshoorn Municipality and the newly integrated Oudtshoorn Business Chamber have made investment a basic priority in all its forward planning for economic growth and have set benchmarks for progress, including promoting international competitiveness, regional co-operation and a more diversified ownership base.
Oudtshoorn's objectives are:
Firstly, to generate sustainable economic growth and development in relatively under-developed areas, according to the inherent economic potential of the locality.
Secondly, to generate long term and sustainable employment for the local inhabitants of this Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) area and for all residents in general.
Thirdly, to maximise the extent to which private sector investment and lending can be mobilised into the SDI area. This has the added benefit of lessening the already unachievable demands on the government focus for the implementation of much needed development projects.
Fourthly, to exploit the spin-offs that arise from this relative crowding in of private and public sector investments.
Finally, to exploit the under-utilised location and economic advantages of Oudtshoorn for export-orientated business. In terms of this objective, the South African Government is giving specific attention to an effective package of supply side measures, a revamp of the regulatory framework of facilities export strategy, trade treaties, and the restructuring of major import conditions.

Investment prospects

Investment opportunities, from tourism and diversification in agriculture to retailing and the provision of business services, abound in the greater Oudtshoorn area.
Tourism, which attracts around 300 000 visitors to Oudtshoorn annually, offers some exciting possibilities:
o Oudtshoorn Railway Station: This has been earmarked as a commercial and entertainment centre for tourists.
o Swartberg Summit Cableway: This ambitious project, which proposes a connection between the Cango Caves and the Swartberg, is in the offing.
o Swartberg Game Reserve: Game reserve to house the "Big Five".
o Succulents Garden: A tract of land, highly suitable for this type of development, is available en route to the Cango Caves, which is already a lively tourist route offering dozens of different tourist attractions and amenities.
o Wine Route: With over 60 winegrowers in the area, the Oudtshoorn Wine Route offers interesting potential for expansion.