Western Cape Finance MEC Alan Winde said on Tuesday residents should expect the province’s economy to recover but warned it would come at a snail’s pace in the new year.

Winde released the 2009 Provincial Economic Review and Outlook which illustrated an overview of economic activity in the province.

The latest figures showed the downturn took longer to hit the province, making recovery slower than expected.

He added the provincial economy would decrease by one percent this year and predicted to grow by 2.6 percent next year.

“The sectors dominating the economic activity in the Western Cape are financial, insurance, estate, business services, manufacture, wholesale, hospitality, catering, retail and accommodation,” said Winde.

Labour market stats showed the province had to focus on skills development which would significantly dent growing unemployment figures.