Free State Business 2020 edition
The 2020 edition of Free State Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State. The Free State Development Corporation describes its work, including property management and investment support in several articles in this journal. The official launch of the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ) was a significant event for the economy of South Africa’s most centrally located province. Business and industrial parks form part of the economic strategy of the province’s planners and details of these facilities are outlined in this journal. In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included. Updated information on the Free State is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title. The printed journal is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
The 2020 edition of Free State Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State.
The Free State Development Corporation describes its work, including property management and investment support in several articles in this journal.
The official launch of the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ) was a significant event for the economy of South Africa’s most centrally located province. Business and industrial parks form part of the economic strategy of the province’s planners and details of these facilities are outlined in this journal.
In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included.
Updated information on the Free State is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
The printed journal is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
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OVERVIEW SPECIAL FEATURE<br />
Regional overview of the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong><br />
Logistics and renewable energy are vital sectors in the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> economy.<br />
By John Young<br />
When the leaders of what would become the African National<br />
Congress chose a venue for their first-ever conference, Bloemfontein<br />
was the natural choice because of the centrality of the<br />
town. The city, which has been the judicial capital of South<br />
Africa since the creation of the state in 1910, has continued to leverage<br />
its central location to become a significant factor in the transport and<br />
logistics sector.<br />
The country’s two great highways pass through the province. The<br />
N1 provides north-south connectivity and the N3 is South Africa’s<br />
busiest road, linking the ports of Richards Bay and Durban with the<br />
industrial heartland.<br />
This strategic position lies behind the decision to launch the Maluti-<br />
A-Phofung Special Economic Zone on the N3 at Harrismith. Although<br />
agriculture and mining remain the mainstays of the provincial economy,<br />
diversification and expansion through initiatives such as Special<br />
Economic Zones (SEZs) are key to the economic future of the province.<br />
Sectors prioritised at the MAP-SEZ include logistics, ICT, automotive,<br />
pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and agri-processing. The 1 000ha site<br />
will has four zones: agri-processing, light industrial, heavy industrials and<br />
a container terminal.<br />
Links to the west (Kimberley and on to Namibia) and east (to Lesotho)<br />
underpin the planning behind the N8 Corridor concept which covers<br />
Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. A plan for the coordinated<br />
development of the N8 Corridor has been approved by a range of bodies<br />
and is being funded by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)<br />
and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.<br />
Within this are several projects including the ICC Precinct (hotel and<br />
convention centre in Bloemfontein), Bio-Medical Park, Airport Node (logistics<br />
and supply chain, warehouses, residential apartments, hospitals,<br />
schools, hotels and new shopping malls) and tourism infrastructure for<br />
the Naval Hill Development.<br />
Three other national highways<br />
intersect the province which is also<br />
well served by rail and air links. The<br />
Bram Fischer International Airport<br />
serves the provincial capital city of<br />
Bloemfontein.<br />
Another important new sector<br />
is solar energy. The Xhariep,<br />
Lejweleputswa and Mangaung<br />
regions have among the best<br />
direct solar radiation kWh/m² in<br />
the country. Only Upington in the<br />
Northern Cape has a better solarradiation<br />
index. Rezoning for solar<br />
farms has already taken place in<br />
several places.<br />
New opportunities are opening<br />
up in the gas and energy sectors.<br />
Several new licences to explore<br />
have been granted and a R200-<br />
million helium extraction plant is<br />
under construction near Virginia.<br />
Relations have been established<br />
with 35 countries with a<br />
view to promoting exports. Africa<br />
and the BRICS grouping of Brazil,<br />
Russia, India and China are focus<br />
areas. Other partnerships based<br />
on education and trade include<br />
FREE STATE BUSINESS <strong>2020</strong><br />
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