Economic & Financial Modelling
GMA have undertaken economic research, development and business planning, financial modelling and investment appraisals for many of the more significant projects in KwaZulu-Natal over the past decade (and also of a number of international projects as well as of projects throughout South Africa).   Some of the more recent assignments include:

• Assessment of the land release implications for logistics and industrial development of a number of alternative routings for a proposed dedicated truck freight route between the port of Durban and the N3 national route in the vicinity of Camperdown / Cato Ridge
• A demand forecasting and cost-benefit modelling study into the implications of implementing open skies (the Yamoussoukro Agreement) within the aviation industry throughout Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• A development planning study for the Cato Ridge – Harrison Flats area of eThekwini Municipality (Durban Metro)
• A development planning study for the “Back of Port” area of the South Durban Industrial Basin, with the prime objective of accommodating the large increase in the level of logistics activities anticipated in the area attendant upon Transnet’s plans for the expansion of the Port of Durban together with the construction of a new harbour at Reunion (the old Durban International Airport site)
• Socio-economic impact analyses for a number of new fuel service stations at various locations throughout KwaZulu-Natal
• Port master planning and investment options appraisal for all the major South African ports for Transnet
• Business planning for SA Weather related to commercialisation of many of the weather bureau’s services
• A new aluminium flouride plant at Kwambonambi
• The Mondi paper mill expansion at Merebank
• The Engen refinery expansion in the South Durban Industrial Basin
• A woodchip export terminal at Richards Bay
• The New Forest Game and Fishing Estate at Fort Nottingham
• The Avenol Country and Fly-fishing Estate in the Dargle Valley
• The Balgowan Equestrian Estate in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
• A proposed second hotel at the International Convention Centre, Durban
• A new forest products pulp mill at Richards Bay
• A cableway and associated resort development in the Drakensberg
• Tourism resorts in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
• A proposed new interchange on the N2 national highway
• An indigenous Botanic Garden adjacent to the Hawaan Forest, Umhlanga Rocks
• The uShaka Island Marine Park at the Durban Point Waterfront
• The Durban Point Waterfront Master Plan
• The King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy
• A new open–cast gold mine in Tanzania (Buzwagi District)
• Irrigated indigenous forests in the Al Ain District of Abu Dhabi, UAE

In 2005 Graham Muller Associates completed a major four year local economic development programme in the Eastern Cape.   The aim of this European Union funded programme was to achieve tangible economic and social development of previously disadvantaged communities through tourism development on the Transkei Wild Coast.  The programme was funded at 12,8 million euros (About R128 million) involved working with the World Wildlife Fund, and rural municipalities, local community based trusts and tourism committees in the provision of capacity building, the facilitation of community and private sector partnerships, stimulating community based tourism business activities and the provision of policy and constitutional support to government.  GMA undertook the programme management work for this project.
Other recent local economic development planning work includes:

• Assessment of the viability of establishing an inland inter-modal freight hub at or west of Cato Ridge / Harrison Flats
• An urban management plan for the KwaMashu town centre
• A land use plan for the under-utilised Pinetown marshalling yard site
• Local economic development planning for the Kingdom of Swaziland
• Local economic development planning for the Matatiele Municipality
• Agricultural sector planning for the Ndaka Municipality
• Local economic development planning for the Big 5 False Bay Municipality
• Agricultural sector planning for the eThekwini Municipality
  in the Inanda area.
• Local economic development planning for the Province of KwaZulu-Natal
• Forestry sector development planning for the Al Ain District of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• Local economic development planning for the Amajuba (Newcastle) District of KwaZulu-Natal
• Local economic development planning for the Mbizana District of the Transkei
• Local economic development planning for the Trans-Kalahari Corridor through Botswana and Namibia
• Local economic development planning for the Balgowan / New Forest Area of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
• Local economic development planning for the Ilembe (Dolphin Coast) District of KwaZulu-Natal.