President Cyril Ramaphosa launches Africa’s first automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gauteng

President Cyril Ramaphosa launches Africa’s first automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gauteng

Ahead of the South Africa Investment Conference, President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the ground-breaking launch of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a clear demonstration of investor confidence in the country and ongoing commitment to grow the economy.

The launch follows the announcement of pipeline investment projects in the Gauteng Province by Premier David Makhura at his State of the Province (SoPA) address on 1 July 2019, that the Gauteng Provincial Government will introduce Special Economic Zones (SEZ) which are feasible and necessary to add momentum towards turning Gauteng City Region into a single, multi-tier and integrated Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“The Special Economic Zones are crucial policy interventions that boost manufacturing, increase exports and employment, while at the same time linking local suppliers to the value chains of transnational corporations operating in the Gauteng Province“, said Premier David Makhura.

The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), a subsidiary company of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency has been tasked to deliver the Tshwane Automotive SEZ on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government.

The development of the Tshwane Automotive SEZ presents an ideal opportunity to deliver industrial growth and socio-economic opportunities. It will provide for world-class infrastructure, in support of the South African Automotive 2035 Masterplan.

“The AIDC’s aim is to ensure that planned investment for ‘Phase 1’ meet government’s objectives and Ford Motor Company’s suppliers that will be part of the pilot phase", added AIDC CEO Lance Schultz. This bodes well for Tshwane, Gauteng and South Africa’s economy as a whole.

Phase 1 of the Tshwane Automotive SEZ is 81.6 Ha and thus far, nine tenants from the private sector have been secured. This will yield 6,700 job opportunities for communities within the Gauteng Province, with the major beneficiaries located in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Eesterus. The public-private-partnerships (PPP) are beginning to unlock the growth and job-creation potential of different regional economies or corridors. This is a social compact in action.

“The Gauteng Province contributes 35% towards the South African Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and without a doubt, the engine of the country’s economy. As the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) of the Gauteng Province, it is in our interest to focus on economic recovery, investment, industrialisation, youth employment and township economy”, says Group CEO of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, Mosa Tshabalala.

The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency is the implementation arm of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, with a mandate to facilitate Trade / Exports, Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments (FDI & DDI) as well as Infrastructure Development Projects in the Gauteng Province.

Issued by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency

Enquiries: Sinazo Masina
Cell: 060 493 9130
Email: sinazom@ggda.co.za