Developers see potential for agricultural exports
A proposal is under consideration to develop Pietermaritzburg as a dry port for agricultural products.
The idea has been welcomed by the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) planners and is now being considered by the Pietermaritzburg Regional Council and Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi transitional local council (TLC).
The developers believe there is a very large potential for agricultural exports utilising Pietermaritzburg as a hub centre. They point out that the Camperdown/Cato Ridge area nearby contains the world's most dense concentration of chicken farms, along with extensive farming of dairy, beef, and citrus products in addition to market gardening in the adjacent districts.
A targeted area of export potential is to Muslim countries in the near and Middle East, which presently import large volumes of poultry and mutton from Australia, despite the longer sea routes involved. Developers point out that Middle-Eastern investors might also be persuaded to invest in the project in return.
Rob Haswell, deputy town clerk of the Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi TLC says that the city's strength lies in its location, with excellent road, rail and air services and a close proximity to the port at Durban.
By Terry Hutson
