The dti plauses Procter & Gambles’s R300 million investment in South Africa
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (the dti) Ms. Nomalungelo Gina has welcomed Procter & Gamble's R300 million investment in a new Always sanitary pads manufacturing plant which has created 300 jobs in South Africa.
Gina was speaking at the launch of the plant at Kempton Park on Friday, November 1, 2019. She said the launch and commissioning of the new Always manufacturing facility, which is additional line to the existing facility in Kempton Park, was a giant step forward.
“Today we are giving practical implementation to our investment mobilization drive. I am pleased that we are now seeing the fruits of our investment mobilization drive and that throughout the year, there are a number of projects completed and launched. Today we are celebrating a special project, the commissioning of the new R300 million Always manufacturing facility, ”said Gina.
She added that the P&G investment was a testament to the company's continuing and increasing investments into South Africa and the region.
“This investment demonstrates the commitment of P&G to continue to grow and contribute to the growth of our country and region in addition to over R1 billion that has already been invested by P&G since 2009. We are seeing a new additional manufacturing facility being introduced for the Always sanitary pads, and we are also witnessing an additional line being added to the Pampers production line bringing the latest in innovation and technology to South Africa, ”added Gina.
She emphasized that the sixth administration of the South African Government was committed to working in partnership with the private sector, labor and civil society to unlock growth, create jobs and build an inclusive economy.
“In demonstrating government's commitment, National Treasury announced this year zero VAT rate on sanitary pads which P&G advocated strongly for and through the robust and dynamic partnership between government and industry. We are pleased to see the commitment of P&G to the empowerment of women and girls. As the dti we are pleased to see that there is a strong focus on women entrepreneurship, investing in SMMEs and a partnership with WEConnect to empower women entrepreneurs, the backbone of the SA economy, ”Gina stressed.
Gina concluded the speech by welcoming the release of the 2019 edition of the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which indicates that South Africa's overall ranking improved from 67 out of 140 nations in 2018 to position 60 out of 141 nations in 2019.
