Proposed SEZ can attract investors

Friday, October 7, 2016

Pretoria - The proposed Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in Mpumalanga, has the potential of attracting investors, said the Department of Trade and Industry.

Director of Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation at the department, Maoto Molefane, said the proposed SEZ located at Ehlanzeni district municipality has the potential of developing at a rapid pace and attracting investors if all planning systems were complied with.

Successful implementation of the planning phase of the SEZ will benefit the local community significantly.

“Globally, approximately 68 million jobs are in firms located within SEZs, and Nkomazi SEZ can generate these much needed jobs for the locals. Skills transfer and integration of local firms in key value chains are some of the benefits that Nkomazi SEZ could bring,” said Molefane.

Molefane was speaking during the Mpumalanga leg of the Special Economic Zones national roadshow that was held by the dti in Malelane, Mpumalanga.

According to Molefane, what is needed for the earmarked agro-processing, mineral processing as well as logistics and trade hub to be successful and to develop faster is strong leadership and a focused approach.

He said while there is a need for strong leadership and focus for the fast tracking of industrialisation, there is also a need to integrate the value chain with neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Swaziland.

Molefane said there is a need to ensure investors are attracted into the country, particularly in Nkomazi.

The department’s roadshows are aimed at unpacking key aspects of the SEZ Act which was passed into law in February 2016.

The SEZ programme seeks to unlock the country’s competitive and comparative advantages by promoting and facilitating the Foreign Direct Investment that is required in the establishment of critical industrial value-chains, as well as backward and forward linkages with the country’s regions. – SAnews.gov.za