The Dube TradePort in Durban formally became a special economic zone under the new Special Economic Zones Act 16 of 2014 yesterday (Tuesday) when President Jacob Zuma officially launched it.
The Dube TradePort was officially opened in 2012 and included development areas, Dube AgriZone and Dube City. Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies granted the precinct an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) operating licence a few months ago.
Located between the two largest seaports in the southern hemisphere - Durban and Richards Bay – the Dube TradePort has in the last two years managed to boost economic growth and job creation in the province and the country.
Officials say turning the area into a special economic zone will boost its capacity as a major logistics platform for southern Africa, as the Port of Durban provides connectivity to 53 international destinations and access to local distribution networks.
The development also forms an important part of government’s pipeline of major infrastructure development projects. One of them is the improvement of the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.
Tuesday’s event is seen as a step to further promote industrialisation and create awareness about the special economic zones programme and its potential to grow the economy and create jobs through creating a conducive environment for foreign direct investment.
South African Airways’ low-cost subsidiary SA Express concluded an agreement with the Dube TradePort Corporation, which led to a connection being established between King Shaka International and the region, especially to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.
There were also plans for SA Express to expand into countries such as Namibia, Malawi, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Passenger traffic at the King Shaka International Airport is said to be steadily growing since its move from the old Durban International Airport.
Dube TradePort officially achieves IDZ status
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