First investors sign up at East London IDZ

ED RICHARDSON THE EAST London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) has secured its first three investors - automotive glass maker Universe Safety Glass, transport and logistics firm Milltrans, and abalone farmer Sea-tek. The combined investment of the three South African companies is worth about R188 million and will generate close to 400 permanent jobs, according to Simphiwe Kondlo, chief executive of the East London Industrial Development Zone. According to Kondlo, the zone has completed rolling out transport and electricity infrastructure and is in negotiations with 55 potential investors intending to invest in vehicle components manufacturing, agro processing, pharmaceuticals and information technology clusters.