Premier Modise leads business delegation to Japan
North West Premier Thandi Modise is leading a provincial visit to Japan to explore partnerships and investments for the Platinum Valley Hub Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The delegation that is leaving today is expected back in the province on the 5th of March 2014.
The objective of the business trip is to explore investment opportunities and partnerships in platinum beneficiation, fuel cells sector and benefit industrialisation of the province’s automotive sector.
“With platinum emerging as a significant energy mineral, the Platinum Valley Hub will assist the province to leverage on South Africa and Africa’s need for clean energy. The fact that the world’s largest Platinum Group Metal reserve representing 70% of the global output is in our province gives us a niche in platinum beneficiation that we need to exploit,” stressed Premier Modise before the departure of the delegation.
The hectic programme for the business trip includes a visit to the Kita Kyushu Smart Community Project and Kyushu Electrical Power Company to learn and experience the distributed power generation from Fuji Fuel cells becoming integral part of the energy mix.
Premier Modise will as part of the seven days programme for the mission attend the Fuel Cells Expo and address a business seminar that will give the province exposure on manufacturing production of hydrogen that uses platinum.
Apart from fuel cells, the delegation will also interact with other companies in the platinum value chain such as the Platinum Jewellery School in Yamanashi, be exposed to the Toyota City Low Carbon Society Verification Project and experience firsthand Japan’s advancement in renewable energy.
“Our Platinum Group Metal (PGM) Beneficiation Strategy and Implementation Plan developed after extensive research over the past 12 years has identified main applications for platinum in value added products, especially fuel cells, and its application in various industries such as telecommunications, automotive and other energy sectors,” highlighted Modise.
The Premier’s entourage includes the MEC for Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho, the Acting Director General in the Office of the Premier, Joe Rantete, the Chief Executive Officer of the North West Development Cooperation, Mojalefa Nale and a representative of the Platinum Trust SA.
The trust is an entity of the North West Provincial government that has maintained relationship with the private sector in Japan on usage of platinum for a number of products including catalytic convertors since Japan is home to a number of automotive of Original Equipment Manufacturers.
The North West Province was part of the delegation of the Deputy President’s visit to Japan in 2008 as it had recognised that it is one of the leading countries in fuel cell research, development and manufacturing.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
