Infrastructure caters for export industry needs

The ELIDZ has developed modern bulk infrastructure to facilitate the export orientated industries at the facility. It includes an electrical substation and overhead electrical transmission lines as well as three access-controlled entrances, transportation and administration buildings. Thando Gwintsa, general manager for investor services at the ELIDZ, says investors in the automotive, agricultural and ICT sectors are the main focus. These target sectors will provide existing investors with security in terms of prospective alliances, and promote certain inflows. A clustered zone will bring in synergies and business efficiencies for companies within any specific sector, he said. In the next twelve months, the ELIDZ will collaborate with the Border-Kei Chamber of Business and other stakeholders to proactively support a biofuels initiative. “With all these achievements, the East London IDZ continues to affirm government’s decision that IDZs are indeed a catalyst for economic development,” says CEO Simphiwe Kondlo. He says there is little tension between the ELIDZ and the Coega IDZ. “Our situations differ widely. We are located in an area which is both environmentally sensitive as well as close to residents. Consequently, we are specifically targeting cleaner industries and small to medium industries,” says Kondlo.