Pretoria - Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa says she is excited at the progress made in the Ocean Economy space, since the launch of Operation Phakisa about a year ago.
Speaking to SAnews in Pretoria after President Jacob Zuma released a report on progress made in the implementation of various segments of Operation Phakisa on Thursday, Minister Molewa said the progress made so far is enormous.
“We already have two applications of investments in the ship industry, in Saldana Bay and Richard’s Bay where people are looking for opportunities to do boat building, and ship building. There is an investment of R9.7 billion of expansion of our harbours to allow manufacturing to happen,” she said.
She said the investment comes from state entities and government, adding that construction has started.
The Minister said South Africa now has a first ever application of the South African flagged ship, which should be made big.
“Once we have started flagging all South African vessels and ships, we know that we are really moving into that space,” she said.
In terms of skills development, the Minister said government is capacitating people as the country already has qualified students, and some of them recently returned from studying abroad.
“As we speak, some of our students are still in Norway. Those who have returned are receiving support as we are absorbing them in various institutions. We are very excited,” she said.
She said in ten years’ time Ocean Economy should already have a marine spatial plan, which will indicate areas that are best for fishing and mining.
She said the achievements that are already seen in Ocean Economy were necessitated by the notion of working together through planning and implementing. - SAnews.gov.za
