Total provincial personal disposable income is estimated to be an annual R50 billion. This represents a major consumer market for producers both inside and outside the Eastern Cape. Although investment activity was very buoyant in the province during 1999, the total provincial investment during the year did not exceed R10 billion. However the economic environment has become increasingly attractive. There are several major infrastructure projects being undertaken and planned in the province.
Labour relations are more stable than the national average.
The South African Police Service's Monthly Crime Bulletin consistently shows that the Eastern Cape has a relatively low crime rate. Our province is ranked in sixth, seventh or eighth position out of South Africa's nine provinces for 14 out of the 15 crime categories.