The expansion of one of two KwaZulu-Natal Special Economic Zones, Dube TradePort, is set to create hundreds of jobs as the province gears for yet another round of the miracle in its Durban Aerotropolis precinct.
Today, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala told members of the media that the world-class multi-billion rand second phase of the Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone (DTP SEZ) development takes place at the time when KwaZulu-Natal is experiencing an unparalleled wave of investments, which are dramatically changing the economic landscape of the province.
"Just recently, we announced as the province that we have amassed business prospects worth more than R200 billion which will see cranes forming the outline against the province’s sky and unleash considerable job opportunities. We made the announcement when we launched the KwaZulu-Natal Investment book before the Presidential Investment Summit in 2018," said MEC Zikalala.
"We are proud that since opening its doors in 2010, the Dube Trade Port, has created thousands of jobs and contributed vastly to the provincial fiscus," he said.
The entity’s phase one has been a resounding success as it is now fully occupied by topnotch companies, which have easily settled at this fastest growing and highly sought-after investment destination in the African continent.
To date, the first phase has been able to create more than 12 000 job opportunities while attracting R3, 2 billion in private sector investment.
Mr Zikalala said as part of the first phase, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national ministers would be at the Dube Trade Port in the near future to officially unveil the state of the art cellphone manufacturing plant.
He said the Mara Group has signed a lease agreement with the Dube Trade Port and it is proceeding with its plans to invest R1.5 billion into Africa’s first fully-fledged smartphone factory. The cranes are indeed “flying” in KwaZulu-Natal.
"The second phase of the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone is, therefore, one more step forward towards achieving this goal. This mega development brings an additional 45 hectares of prime industrial land and is expected to generate R18 billion within the SEZ over the next five years," he said.
Mr Zikalala said that this heralds more good news for the growth and prosperity of KwaZulu-Natal. "Phase two offers immense opportunities in sectors such as electronics, aeronautical services such as aircraft maintenance, aircraft repair, overhaul, fixed base operations and executive aerospace amongst the many offerings," he said.
Phase two is another milestone in the evolution of the province’s flagship multi-billion rand investment, which is anchored on the King Shaka International Airport and is set to change the urban economic landscape of KwaZulu-Natal.
"Significantly, we want investors to benefit from the incentives of the special economic zone and to take advantage of the green field space to develop a globally competitive KwaZulu-Natal," he said.
MEC Zikalala said Durban Aerotropolis is poised to enhance urban and national competitiveness through improved multi-modal transport access and planned, coordinated, aviation-linked commercial development.
Mr Hamish Erskine, Dube Trade Port CEO said scores of companies had shown interest in occupying sites in phase two. “We are confident that we will be in a position to make some major announcements in this regard soon."
Enquiries:
Bongani Tembe
Cell: 082 327 2600
