“This launch and the development of the Maluti-a-Phofung SEZ demonstrates our promotion of industrial development which is key to the nation’s long-term economic success and prosperity,” said President Zuma.

President Jacob Zuma recently launched the much anticipated Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ), demonstrating government’s promotion of industrial development.

The launch of the SEZ brought the tally of special economic zones in the country to eight. SEZs are geographically designated areas of a country that are set aside for specifically targeted economic activities.

Also speaking at the launch, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said that to date South Africa’s SEZs had collectively attracted over R9,5 billion worth of investments. They have also created over 10 000 direct jobs and 65 000 indirect jobs.

“The Maluti-a-Phofung SEZ information is telling us that this zone is receiving a pipeline of investments to the value of R2,6 billion and I believe around about R1 billion of investment is here already,” said Minister Davies.

The Free State SEZ was once an apartheid era industrial park that was established to provide access to cheap black labour.

The SEZs and Industrial Parks Programme that is run by the Department of Trade and Industry is critical to efforts to radically transform the South African economy.

Through the SEZ Programme, South Africa also continues to play an important role in the attraction of foreign and domestic direct investment into the economy. The eight zones are: Coega and East London industrial development zones (IDZs) in the Eastern Cape; Dube TradePort and Richards Bay IDZs in KwaZulu-Natal; OR Tambo IDZ in Gauteng; Saldanha Bay IDZ in the Western Cape; Maluti-a-Phofung IDZ in the Free State; and Musina-Makhado SEZ in Limpopo.

Next month, the MAP-SEZ will begin with its bulk services upgrades project. The project will focus on upgrading existing infrastructure in order to accommodate new investors. The project will include bulk water and sanitation, bulk electricity, major roadworks and site platforms for new and existing tenants.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za