Northern Cape Business 2018-19 edition

SPECIAL FEATURE
Investment opportunities
Nine-point plan aims to attract investors to the Northern Cape.
An economic colloquium will be held in the Northern Cape.
This will serve as a preparation for a much larger investment
conference. Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas says, “The
idea is to aggressively promote our mega projects for attraction
of credible investment.”
A nine-point project plan is in place, which includes promoting to
investors:
• a Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
• development of a port at Boegoebaai
• Square Kilometre Array radio telescope
• Agri-parks for every district.
This is over and above the massive renewable energy programme (wind
and solar) which is covered in a separate article in this publication.
In her 2018 State of the Province Address, Premier Lucas said,
“Transforming the economy of the Northern Cape will entail the calculated
mobilisation of all social partners, in particular the three spheres
of government, as well as labour and business behind an economic
growth plan.”
Infrastructure
Work has started on a framework for future growth and development
in the Northern Cape. The Provincial Growth and Development
Plan (PGPD) Vision 2040 will outline the intended growth path for the
province. Towards this goal, the province intends for decisions about
land use to be located within the Office of the Premier, instead of with
municipalities.
A Provincial Infrastructure Strategy is to be developed after an audit
has been conducted on the province’s infrastructure. The aim is to
implement the Infrastructure Development Act.
Two large bulk water supply projects are underway. These will
not only mitigate drought conditions where they occur but promote
new businesses and provide greater security for communities in
affected areas.
Manufacturing clusters
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT)
intends using clusters to promote economic growth with a focus on
mineral beneficiation, agri-processing, and energy and technology.
The rooibos tea processing
plant supported by the
Provincial Government of the
Northern Cape.
Within these clusters, investors
will find good infrastructure and
other businesses in the same sector
with whom they can trade.
Three manufacturing clusters
are planned for the Northern Cape:
Metal manufacturing: John Taolo
Gaetsewe District Municipality.
The mining sector is strongly represented
in this area. Main towns:
Kuruman, Kathu, Hotazel.
Clothing manufacturing:
Frances Baard District Municipality.
Main towns: Kimberley, Jan
Kempdorp, Warrenton. The existing
diamond beneficiation projects
that exist in Kimberley were
recently boosted by the signing of
Memorandums of Understanding
with Turkey and India for diamond
cutting and polishing as well as
jewellery manufacturing at the
NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018/19
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