South Africa cannot continue to actively participate as a global player without the creation of sector hubs that are industrialised and advanced in manufacturing.
This was message from Department of Trade and Industry (dti) deputy minister, Bulelani Magwanishe, during a dialogue breakfast session and seminar in the North West this week.
He said this was the guiding principle behind efforts revitalise special economic zones and industrial parks as they would facilitate economic opportunities for small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in rural and township areas.
“As at the end of March 2018, the dti has allocated R415 million for the revitalisation of 11 industrial parks across the country,” he said. “The revitalisation of these parks aims to attract further investment and increase local employment and core competencies.”
He pointed out that the success of these interventions was dependent on how the dti developed and mobilised black entrepreneurs.
Following the completion of the revitalisation programme, the department intends to implement several investor promotion programmes and focus on the creation of economic hubs to support SMMEs.
