Minister Patel Welcomes R1.2 Billion Isuzu Investment

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Ebrahim Patel has welcomed the R1.2 billion investments, which was announced by Isuzu today.  The decision follows Minister Patel’s meeting with the senior leadership of Isuzu during a recent visit to Japan.

“This announcement by Isuzu comes after last week’s South African Investment Conference at which investment pledges of R363 billion were made. This adds a further R1,2 billion to the what was announced last week, bringing new investment pledges made by businesses this month to just above R364 billion,” says Patel.

He adds that the investment shows confidence in the South African economy’s growth potential and will help to secure more than 1 000 direct jobs at the plant.

Patel says the South African Automotive Master Plan, which was developed in partnership between government and industry, provides a good basis for companies to plan and gives policy certainty on which investment decisions can be made.

“During my discussions with the Isuzu executive leadership in Japan recently, we shared perspectives on the opportunities that will come from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. I am pleased that Isuzu will expand its exports to other African countries, using the local manufacturing platform. This will deepen our industrialisation drive. It will boost the Eastern Cape economy and consolidate Isuzu’s presence in the local and Continental market,” says Patel.

He notes that the partnership between SA and Japan has expanded since the signing of the Strategic Co-operation Partnership in 2011, which aims to strengthen and deepen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

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