Pretoria - The newly launched Musina Intermodal Terminal (MIT) is expected to be a huge boost to the regional economic integration and to the Special Economic Zones Programme.
The terminal, which was launched on Monday, is aimed at the containerised cargo market and the transportation of mineral ores such as coal, iron ore, chrome, copper and sulphur, maize and tomatoes, as well as citrus which contributes immensely to the regional economic integration in the SADC region.
The MIT is also one of the key support facilities for the newly designated Musina-Makhado SEZ, especially the Energy and Metallurgical Cluster with an investment of over R40 billion in at least eight large scale industrial projects including a power station, a coking coal plant, ferrosilicon plant, a steel plant, and a stainless steel plant.
Once fully implemented the zone is expected to create a total employment of more than 20 000.
Speaking at the launch, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the MIT speaks to a number of policies of government and the promotion of regional economic integration.
“The SEZ will significantly increase industrial production in the region. This will include steel and related inputs for producing steel and stainless steel, as well as increasing mining development and production. The SEZ will thus increase trade between South Africa and its neighbours. Regional integration will also be deepened,” said Minister Davies.
He said the project was designed to improve trade which is key to the regional integration agenda.
According to the Minister, it further speaks to the goals of moving up the value chain and industrialisation of the country.
Minister Davies also announced that the Southern African Development Community tariff agreement with the east corridor would be finalised in July 2017, adding that it was going to present new trading opportunities and open new markets for trading.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of MIT Morley Nkosi described the project as that which will accelerate economic growth and development in the region, driving increased foreign and domestic direct investment, increased value-added exports, creation of jobs, and the building of industrial clusters and regional industrial hubs.
He added that the intermodal movement of cargo from road to rail and vice versa will result in reduced carbon emissions, logistics costs and road congestion, as approximately 62 000 vehicle trips per annum are removed from the region’s roads. - SAnews.gov.za
