US16m has been set aside by The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) for the renovation of five industrial parks in South Africa Pretoria area.
The parks which are located in Limpopo, Gauteng, North West and Free State areas will have their infrastructure upgraded so that they can contribute to stimulating the country’s industrial development, economic growth and job creation.
Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies confirmed the reports and said that the have been setting aside funds for the revitalization of industrial parks in the country.
“Last year, the dti spent more than US$ 13.4m upgrading six industrial parks in five provinces in South Africa in the first phase of our Revitalization of the Industrial Parks Programme. We have recently set aside US16m from our critical infrastructure incentive programme to start revitalizing five more parks this year,” said Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies.
The revitalization programme is realized in four phases focusing on different areas, with the first being the upgrading of security infrastructure.
The first phase of the revitalization process will cater for Nkowankowa, Ekandustria, Bodirelo, Phuthaditjhaba and Garankuwa industrial parks which is about to start after the budgets were approved late last year.
“Our officials are already in the process of conducting inception meetings to discuss the implementation of the project with vital stakeholders in the region.
“The positive effect of this key programme on the economy of the areas where they are located is felt as soon as the implementation begins, since most of the labour and construction materials are procured from those areas,” Minister Davies said.
The dti identified saw the need to revitalise industrial parks as part of efforts to promote industrialization, manufacturing and job creation especially for the locals.
“We would like to see these parks operating as centres of excellence and beehives of economic activity, contributing to the growth and diversification of our country’s economy. The revitalization process will ensure that the upgraded industrial parks appeal to private investors, provide a favourable environment and attract investment opportunities that will create jobs and assist in promoting economic transformation,” the Minister concluded.
