The Ekandustria Industrial Park is set to improve the lives of those living in the township of Ekangala once its revamp is complete.
The Industrial Park, which is being revitalised by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), will contribute to the economic growth of the township located on the border of Mpumalanga.
Speaking at a public participation session on business opportunities available at the park on Friday, Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe said almost R50 million has been budgeted for the park.
The Deputy Minister said the ongoing revitalisation will enhance the occupancy rate of the park as well as drive retention and the expansion of the facility.
“I am informed that this park used to provide employment to more than 60 000 people in the past, but due to deteriorating infrastructure, investors have since vacated it, leaving it with a current occupancy of 6000 people. Infrastructure must be up to date to attract investors back into the park. That is why it is important that we revitalise industrial parks,” he said.
The Deputy Minister urged business people to take up space at the park, assuring them of government’s commitment to assisting and ensuring that their businesses become sustainable.
In addition, he said, the dti will soon be embarking on a mission to attract investors to industrial parks.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Cassel Mathale said partnerships between government and business is key to the growth and development of businesses.
These partnerships lead to the growth of small businesses that translate into the creation of jobs.
The community were able to interact with officials on business matters while also receiving presentations from the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission (BBBEE Commission), National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Trade Invest Africa, the dti and the Department of Small Business Development.
The revitalisation of Ekandustria is part of the dti’s Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) which is aimed at promoting industrialisation in the country and boosting manufacturing capacity to increase the production of exportable goods.
The (dti) has set aside R415 million to refurbish 11 industrial parks across South Africa.-SAnews.gov.za
