SA delegation to attend Investment Seminar on SEZs in China
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will lead a group of Chief Executive Officers of existing Industrial Development Zones and agencies hosting project teams for the proposed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to China to attend an Investment Seminar on the SEZs in Beijing from 12-13 May 2016.
The main purpose of the seminar will be for the South African participants to present to potential investors and finance institutions opportunities that the country’s SEZs and IDZs present as well as the incentives that are offered to investors in the zones.
According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies the visit to China by the group is part of the department’s efforts to derive value from South Africa’s cooperation with China on SEZs. Last month a group of twenty government officials left for Tianjin, China to participate in a Capacity Building Programme on the SEZs.
“In addition, the visit serves as the implementation of the undertakings of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CSPA) signed between the two countries in China in 2011, and also the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Johannesburg in 2015. China agreed to support South Africa and Africa’s initiatives of industrialisation and beneficiation,” says Minister Davies.
He adds that the dti officials, who will be travelling to China, led by the Deputy Director-General of SEZs and Economic Transformation, Mr Sipho Zikode, will also hold discussions with the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). the dti and the NDRC are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting cooperation on production capacity in various areas including industrial infrastructure, manufacturing development, mineral processing and industrial development support systems.
“China is one of South Africa’s strategic partners. With its population of 1.3 billion people, China’s market remains a priority for South Africa’s value-added products. In addition, we need also to derive value from our cooperation with China on SEZs, particularly as we embark on our industrialisation and beneficiation programmes.
Currently, there are major flagship investment projects that we are targeting with China on the development of SEZs and Science Industrial Parks in South Africa, namely the Musina Metallurgical Cluster and the High-Tech Science Park in Gauteng,” says Minister Davies.
Minister Davies expressed confidence that the visit of the officials to China would go a long way in accelerating the planning, implementation and coordination of industrial development-related projects between South Africa and China.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
