The Chief Operations Officer of the newly established Industrial Delivery Zones Programme of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Ms Stieneke Jensma says interventions to improve industrial parks affected by the unrests are underway. Jensma was speaking at the Masakhe Stakeholder Engagement webinar hosted by Ithala Development Finance Corporation today. The purpose of engagement was to share details of the rebuilding efforts to ensure maximum participation of all their partners in this process.
According to Jensma, the dtic and its partners are working on establishing a dedicated team to expedite work on the consolidation of applications and scope for affected industries and or businesses. Jensma told the audience that fast-tracking the implementation of the Digital Hubs in the Isithebe Industrial Park, in KwaZulu-Natal would support the youth and the unemployed.
“Attracting and promoting investments in the park remains critical and we are also prioritising the affected infrastructure in the Isithebe Industrial Park. The township-linked industries and their value chains are critical to ensure a greater involvement of Small and Medium Enterprises in the area,” says Jensma.
She added that the Revitalisation of Industrial Parks Programme of the dtic was pivotal in the driving of sustainable regional economic transformation. She said that to date R770 million has been approved for funding of Phases 1 and 2 for the revitalisation of the industrial parks throughout the country with a total of more than 1 400 job opportunities created.
“In KwaZulu-Natal, three industrial parks have been included in the programme, namely Isithebe, Ezakheni and Madadeni,” said Jensma.
“A total of R98 million has been approved for Isithebe to cover Phases 1 and 2, as well as the establishment of a Digital Hub,” she added.
Jensma said that the establishment of a Digital Hub in Isithebe was projected to afford digital platforms for prospective entrepreneurs and the youth interested in the 4th Industrial Revolution. It is an opportunity to access a hybrid of technological services, digital learning skills and the use of shared makers space and office space. The Digital Hub offerings include the digital skills development, access and entrepreneur support and other training.
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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