The dti to spend R44 million to revitalise two EC industrial parks
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will spend more than R44 million during the first phase of the revitalisation and refurbishment of two state-owned industrial parks in the Eastern Cape. The revitalisation of the Vulindlela Heights Industrial Park, which is based in Mthatha, and Queenindustria Industrial Park, located in Queenstown, is part of the department’s Revitalisation of Industrial Parks Programme.
According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the objective of the Programme is to revitalise South Africa’s old industrial parks so that they can contribute to economic growth, diversification of economic activity, attracting investments, job creation and addressing inequality in the townships and rural areas where they are located.
“We have prioritised the Vulindlela and Queenindustria industrial parks for the Eastern Cape and a budget of about R22million for each park has been approved for the first phase of the project. 100 jobs will be created during this refurbishment phase which will comprise of construction of a boundary fence, as well as installation of waste skip structure, CCTV system and electrical infrastructure,” says Minister Davies.
Various milestones have already been achieved in the implementation of the revitalisation programme in the Eastern Cape. These include the signing of the tripartite funding agreement between the Development Bank of Southern Africa, who have been appointed by the dti for the infrastructure development part of the Programme, the dti, and the King Sabata Dalindyebo District Municipality for the approved amount to be obtained from the dti’s Critical Infrastructure Programme.
“Our department is working with key stakeholders such as the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Eastern Cape Development Corporation and DBSA to ensure that the two parks become a beehive of economic activity and productive centres of manufacturing and production of exportable goods.
The revitalised parks will woo investors and contribute in the economic growth of the townships and rural areas thereby creating employment, eradicating poverty and addressing inequality,” says Minister Davies.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
