Free State Premier ES Magashule, together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Geoffrey Qhena, officially opened the Free State Industrial Development Corporation regional office in Bloemfontein.
The state-owned national development finance institution has been established regionally to, amongst other things, proactively identify and drive new business development and provide business support to clients in the Free State, thus assisting in the promotion of Black Economic Empowerment, development of small, medium and macro-enterprises, regional investment diversification, municipalities to implement local economic strategies and job creation.
According to Premier ES Magashule, the opening of the IDC regional office gives a resounding expression to the theme: “Working together we can do more”.
“This is a practical implementation of the promise that we made to our people when we said we will engage the IDC to ensure that they increase their footprint in Free State."
The opening of the regional office forms part Operation Hlasela, the all-encompassing government service delivery programme mobilising resources to provide infrastructure, houses, water, sanitation, health, education, roads and transport. The province is attacking, amongst others, poverty and in regard to the Free State’s perspective, through the rural development strategy that aims to place the people and their needs at the forefront of economical development and as such making sure the Free State becomes a bread basket.
“We are committed to the creation of an enabling environment for the empowerment of the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised groups such as women, youth and people with disabilities to become self-reliant,” said Magashule referring to the strategy.
The Free Sate province is intending to return to its former glory in terms of agriculture and according to Magashule this can only happen through intensified support provided to the farmers so that they can increase local production as part of efforts to combat rising food prices and decrease their reliance on imports.
Magashule however noted with concern that emerging farmers still have serious challenges and need to be unlocked as a matter of urgency. The challenges include access to loan finance for viable farming enterprise, high land prices as well as other requisites such as machinery, implements and input prices, access to markets for the emerging commercial farmers, training and project management as well as poor farm infrastructure.
“We want our farmers to be able to increase their profits, broaden local export base and create additional employment opportunities. I believe that IDC sees a great significant role they have to play in this matter and as Free State provincial government we are looking forward to draw from your expertise. We trust that the opening of this office signals the beginning of greater plans for the people of Free State,” said Magashule in conclusion.
Issued by: Free State Provincial Government
20 October 2009
Source: Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fs.gov.za/)
