[South Africa] Industrial parks can be turned into special economic zones, Trade Director

The Director-General of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Mr Lionel October said that with proper infrastructure, utilities, and management, the twenty-six approved Industrial Parks across South Africa can in future, become Special Economic Zones (SEZ)s) that can contribute immensely to the economy of the country and create jobs. October was speaking at the opening of the two-day Industrial Parks Symposium hosted in Midrand, Gauteng. 

The purpose of the symposium is to serve as a platform for engagement with key stakeholders and experts on the acceleration of the industrial parks as catalysts for developing the Rural and Township Industrial Economy. The symposium offers expert knowledge and experience from speakers and thought leaders on key topics affecting the industrial parks.

According to October, with the support of the dti and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ Municipal Infrastructure Grant, all the challenges that have been faced by the parks in the former homelands areas can be sorted out and made more productive, and attract other businesses to operate in them.

“When we talk about revitalising the industrial parks, we are talking about having proper roads for transportation of goods, proper sub-stations to provide electricity, providing cheaper rentals and avoiding overcharging these businesses operating in the parks. If this is done properly this will lead to lowering the cost of doing business and making our manufacturing sector competitive and sustainable,” said October. 

He added that it was up to the administrators to mobilise these resources and secure budgets from municipalities, provincial and national government and turn these pledges into concrete forms of world class facilities.

“We must propose to cabinet what is it that we want to see out of these parks and eventually they must have the same benefits and support as the SEZs. We can also find a way to fast track this process so that they too can be managed efficiently and businesses can be clustered together,” he said.

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