The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Fikile Majola has urged emerging industrialists and manufacturers in the Sedibeng District Municipality to take charge of developing their  economy in the region. He was speaking at a meeting with local black industrialists, manufacturers and exporters at the Vereeniging City Hall.

The purpose of the session was to address the challenges of the Black Industrialists and to expose them to various funding and non-funding support opportunities available from the government and Development Finance Institutions.

He highlighted the planned Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for the district and appealed to the industrialists to ensure that they are ready and equipped to take up opportunities as investors will rely on local suppliers.

“I undertake to invite the investors that are earmarked for the SEZ, to come and brief local operators especially in the manufacturing space. I want them to come and to brief you on their plans and needs. This is so that you can be equipped with knowledge that will assist you to position yourselves. We also want to build a regional forum driven by young people whose ideas are required for the development of the planned smart city and the overall economic development of the district,” he said.

The SEZ will be spread across the three local municipalities, namely; Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi. The objective of the SEZ is to develop a multi-sector, multi-site to re-industrialise the area, support new economic activity, and build on the historic competitive strengths and skills base of the area.

The Chief Director of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Care at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) Ms Tsepiso Makgothi, revealed in the meeting that since 2016 up to R165 million has been disbursed to black industrialists in the Sedibeng District. This has resulted in the preservation and creation of 1 350 jobs in the area.

She added that during the same period Black Industrialists invested R460 million into their projects.

Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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