KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize arrived in Osaka, Japan today, 25 March 2012 on an official visit aimed at convincing Japan based companies to consider investing in KwaZulu-Natal province.
Dr Mkhize who is accompanied by MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Mr Mike Mabuyakhulu said meetings had been lined up with companies involved mainly in the automotive manufacturing sector.
He announced recently that around R80 billion will be invested in the refurbishment of the ports in the next seven years.
“The Ports of Richards Bay and Durban are important contributors to international trade and a significant enabler for South Africa’s and the Province’s economic development.”
“Some funds will be dedicated towards the implementation of the Durban Dug-Out Port. The Dug-Out Port will accommodate the increased capacity for automotive export market.”
“We are planning an Automotive Supplier Park around the Dug-Out Port. This park will be a strategic site for the production of vehicle components and will improve production and competitiveness of the automotive industry.”
“KwaZulu-Natal is the biggest manufacturing exporter with automotive playing a tremendous role in the provincial economy. About 45.3% of all passengers and bakkies exported from South Africa came from KwaZulu-Natal in 2008. An all-time record for South African automotive industry is 284,000 units.”
“Importantly, the province’s trade index grew by 8.3% year-on-year, its strongest growth since last February. This was driven partly by the 25.3% increase in vehicle sales.”
“Our main strategic goal is to ensure that the province’s automotive industry doubles its size in the next decade and that we become a leading exporter of vehicles. Thousands of jobs will be created in the process”
“We are on a drive of attracting leading manufacturers from Japan because the manufacturing sector has served as a driving force for economic growth in this country (Japan). The labor productivity growth in the sector has been far greater in all sectors since the 90s.”
Contact:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for Premier Zweli Mkhize
Cell: 082 375 4742
Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison
Cell: 079 751 6108
