Free State Business 2021
The 2021 edition of Free State Business is the 11th issue of this successful publication that, since its launch, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State. The Free State has varied investment and business opportunities and the Free State Development Corporation describes some of these in detail in these pages. Drilling for natural gas is a new phenomenon which may spark activity in other sectors and this journal notes significant new investments and projects in the chemicals and mining sectors. 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. Located on the strategically significant N3 highway that links the economic heartland of South Africa to the coast, the MAP SEZ has the potential to attract new investors and spark a revival in the manufacturing sector. In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the mining and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included.
The 2021 edition of Free State Business is the 11th issue of this successful publication that, since its launch, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Free State. The Free State has varied investment and business opportunities and the Free State Development Corporation describes some of these in detail in these pages. Drilling for natural gas is a new phenomenon which may spark activity in other sectors and this journal notes significant new investments and projects in the chemicals and mining sectors. 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. Located on the strategically significant N3 highway that links the economic heartland of South Africa to the coast, the MAP SEZ has the potential to attract new investors and spark a revival in the manufacturing sector. In addition, overviews on each of the key economic sectors provide up-to-date information on trends in the mining and tourism sectors, for example. Regular information about the size and nature of each sector is also included.
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PROFILE<br />
<strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> Development<br />
Corporation (FDC)<br />
Driving enterprise development and investment in South Africa’s<br />
most central province, the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong>.<br />
The FDC contributes to the <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong>’s<br />
economic development through four service<br />
delivery pillars:<br />
SMME/co-operative funding and support<br />
The FDC provides products and services to SMMEs<br />
and co-operatives in the form of financial support<br />
(business loans) as well as business development<br />
support (facilitating training and mentoring service<br />
providers). The principal loan products offered to<br />
<strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> entrepreneurs by the FDC are:<br />
• Start-up loans for recently established businesses<br />
that are mainly at formative stages.<br />
• Expansion loans offering viable and existing<br />
businesses the capital needed to expand.<br />
• <strong>Business</strong> take-over finance to assist potential<br />
clients to acquire a business as a going concern.<br />
• Bridging finance for SMMEs with short-term cashflow<br />
problems with contracts or tenders.<br />
Property management<br />
The FDC administers a diverse property portfolio<br />
and can offer small to medium enterprises suitable<br />
premises at affordable rates. The corporation has<br />
some 253 commercial properties, 290 industrial<br />
properties and a large number of residential and<br />
vacant land for development.<br />
The corporation aims to use them to facilitate<br />
commercial and industrial activity, while assisting<br />
new investors looking for suitable premises.<br />
The FDC offers advice and guidance in terms of<br />
the following incentives:<br />
• Subsidised rental rates.<br />
• Rental holidays of up to three months.<br />
• Special incentives and discounts for BEE<br />
companies or individuals.<br />
FREE STATE BUSINESS <strong>2021</strong><br />
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