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South Africa delegation arrives in China for SEZ investment roadshow

South Africa seeks to attract more Chinese investment for the development of SEZs. (Image source: Henn Architekten/Wikimedia Commons)

A South African delegation comprising government officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and representatives of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has arrived in China for the SEZ Investment Roadshow taking place from 28-30 May 2018

The roadshow, which is aimed at attracting investors to South Africa’s SEZs, is led by the deputy minister of trade and industry, Bulelani Magwanishe.

During the roadshow, the South African SEZ delegation has made presentations on South Africa’s SEZ value-propositions, opportunities and incentives offered to companies which invest in the zones. The targeted audience include investors, finance institutions and government representatives. The SA delegation will also visit a successful SEZs in Shanghai for the purpose of benchmarking and knowledge-sharing.

Ikhraam Osman, CEO of the Free State Development Corporation, said that the roadshow will provide him with an opportunity to attract new investors from China to the Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ that is located in the Eastern Free State town of Harrismith.

“The dti and the Free State Development Corporation have spent a significant amount of money on upgrading the infrastructure of the Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ to make it more attractive to the investors. Now is the time for us to focus our attention on bringing more investors to the SEZ in order for it to effectively serve its purpose of contributing in growing the economy and creating jobs in the province,” said Osman.

Bunjiwe Gwebu, project manager of the Tubatse Special Economic Zone, commented, “This is part of our mission to market the SEZ internationally with the aim of attracting foreign investors to invest in various sectors of our focus which include platinum beneficiation, manufacturing and assembling of mining inputs.”

Themba Camane, general manager of properties and infrastructure at the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency, noted, “We will also be looking at investors who are interested in investing in our green energy production infrastructure. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that the proposed SEZ effectively serves its purpose of creating jobs for the people of Nkomazi as well as contribute significantly in the economic growth of the province.”

“We have identified about eight Chinese companies that we will be targeting during this trip with the aim of attracting them to invest in Nkomazi,” said Camane.

Davis Sadike, project executive of the SEZ at the North West Development Corporation, also expressed confidence that he will be able to attract investors to the Platinum Valley Special Economic Zone, which is also known as the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. The zone is focusing on mineral beneficiation with special emphasis on platinum and chrome, mining capital equipment manufacturing, agro-processing and renewable energy storage sectors.

Babalwa Mbobo, sector specialist of the Upington SEZ, said, “We are aware that some of the companies are interested in investing in South Africa and the trip will give us an opportunity to provide them with relevant information regarding the opportunities that are available in our SEZ.”

Recently, Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) has signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with nine Chinese companies who will invest more than US$10bn in the Musina-Makhado SEZ.

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