MESSAGE Domestic MESSAGE
MESSAGE Domestic MESSAGE and international investors are invited to invest The Free in South State Africa’s most centrally welcomes located investors province MEC MEC for for Economic, Economic, Small Small Business Business Development, Development, Tourism Tourism and and Environmental Environmental Affairs, Affairs, the the Honourable MP MP Mohale, Mohale, outlines relates how how human the province capital formation has supported is at the business heart of the in the creation Covid-19 of crisis a conducive and how environment investment for can investment spark further in Free development. State Province. It In is with response pleasure to and the gratitude effects of that Covid-19 we, as the and department the subsequent charged with lockdown promoting of the investment economy, into Free the State Free enterprises State Province, were introduce invited to Free apply State for Business economic 2020. recovery We welcome incentives. this well-known Incentives publication’s and support regular programmes description were for of the businesses economic in the environment formal and of informal our province sectors and and are were pleased focussed to contribute on saving existing to its pages. jobs and creating new ones. A In brief an effort overview to improve of the the investment uptake of climate opportunities in our presented province by is government, working with different business chambers in the Free provided on the facing page. State, the department has assisted businesses to meet the minimum Our department also published a dedicated investment prospectus. compliance requirements, like business, tax and other licence The purpose of the Free State Investment Opportunities Prospectus is registration. We would not like to see anybody left behind. to provide pertinent information about large-scale investment It is with pleasure and gratitude that we, as the department opportunities currently available in various sectors. These initiatives charged with promoting investment into the Free State Province, represent introduce the Free Free State State’s Business response 2021. to We President welcome Ramaphosa’s this well-known clarion call publication’s for increased regular long-term description investment of the necessary economic for environment inclusive growth of our and province job creation. and are pleased to contribute to its pages. While Our department investment is has an essential also published ingredient a dedicated to economic investment growth, it should prospectus, be pointed the Free out State that at Investment the centre Opportunities of the Free State Prospectus. government’s These economic initiatives represent development the Free strategy State’s is response human capital to President formation Ramaphosa’s and development clarion call through for increased universities long-term and investment colleges, and necessary various for institutions inclusive pursuing growth and innovation job creation. and offering proof-of-concept services, to name a few. While Indeed, investment the Free State is is an poised essential to become ingredient a laboratory economic for excellence growth, in education it should outcomes, be pointed research out that and at innovation, the centre particularly of the Free in the State fields government’s of health, agriculture, economic agro-processing, development strategy, manufacturing, as well as water the management, Value Chains Economic ICT, pharmaceuticals Transformation and rural Approach, development. is human capital formation Domestic and and development potential investors through from universities around the and world colleges, are welcome and various to contact institutions the DESTEA pursuing Head innovation of Department and offering at: proof-ofconcept services, to name a few. The Free State is poised to become HoD_office@destea.gov.za. a laboratory for excellence in education outcomes, research and innovation, particularly in the fields of health, agriculture, agroprocessing, manufacturing, water management, ICT, pharmaceuticals and rural development. Domestic and potential investors from around the world are welcome to contact the DESTEA Head of Department at: HoD_office@destea.gov.za. FREE STATE BUSINESS 2020 6 MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs the the Honourable MP Mohale. FREE STATE BUSINESS 2021 6
Investing in the Free State Investing Province the Free State Province Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, Head of Department at DESTEA, outlines some of the Free State’s Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, Head of Department at DESTEA, outlines some of the unique selling propositions. Free State’s unique selling propositions. MESSAGE MESSAGE Free State Province is situated in the heart of South Africa and The shares borders Free State with Province Lesotho is and situated six other in the provinces. heart of South It provides Africa and shares borders with Lesotho and six other provinces. easy access to the main ports of Durban, East London and It provides easy access to the main ports of Durban, East Port Elizabeth. London and Port Elizabeth. The Free State is an attractive business and investment destination. The Free State is an attractive business and investment The province is at the centre of South Africa and the dominant sectors destination. The province is at the centre of South Africa and the are agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the tertiary sectors, making dominant economic sectors are agriculture, mining, manufacturing it ideal and the for transport tertiary sectors, logistics making and agro-processing. it ideal for transport logistics and agro-processing. Companies locating to Free State not only enjoy the opportunity to source The inputs Department at competitive has prices, developed but also a to Value benefit Chains from domestic, Economic regional Transformation and international Approach, markets which aims for their to place products the economy and services. on a Because path of South reconstruction, Africa has recovery been engaging and development with our economically post the Covid-19 large trading pandemic. partners, Maintaining access to sound international relationships markets with is facilitated the private through sector various ensures trade that preferences government’s and free-trade economic agreements. transformation agenda remains As far as on long-term track. The investment department is is concerned, engaging with there sectors are industrial such as parks property and a developers Special Economic issues Zone such (SEZ) as bulk that services are supported and the approval by the Department of plans. A of development Trade, Industry committee and Competition. made up Industrial of government, parks are developers, situated in financing Maluti-A-Phofung, institution Botshabelo and municipalities and Thaba will Nchu. soon Maluti-A-Phofung be established. SEZ is situated in Tshiame. The Companies Free State’s relocating strengths for to inward Free investment State not are only boosted enjoy by: the • opportunity openness to to business, source trade inputs and at foreign competitive investment prices, but also to • benefit abundance from of domestic, natural resources regional and international markets for their • products low factory and rentals services. • Africa’s There leading are industrial telecommunications parks and a Special network Economic Zone (SEZ) • that incentive are supported packages uniquely by the developed Department for Special of Trade, Economic Industry Zones and • Competition. incentives associated Industrial with parks the revitalised are situated industrial Maluti-A-Phofung, parks • Botshabelo Free State and Development Thaba Nchu. Corporation The Maluti-A-Phofung (FDC) support SEZ services is situated for in Tshiame, priority sectors Harrismith. such as agro-processing and manufacturing • a large The Free labour State’s pool strengths for inward investment are boosted by: • • diverse openness cultures to business, trade and foreign investment • abundance of natural resources • competitive land and building cost • low factory rentals • world-class transport and telecommunications infrastructure • Africa’s leading telecommunications network • incentive packages uniquely developed for Special Economic Zones and industrial parks 7 • Free State Development • an Corporation idyllic climate (FDC) support • recreational services for and priority lifestyle sectors facilities. such as agro-processing and manufacturing Select • a large investment labour pool opportunities include: • diverse cultures • • Agriculture competitive and land agroprocessing costs. and building • Tourism Select and property investment opportunities developmentinclude: • • Medical Agriculture and and pharmaceutical agriprocessing • production tourism and and distribution property • Manufacturing development • medical and pharmaceutical • Renewable and clean energy production and distribution • Medical tourism. • manufacturing • renewable and clean energy and medical tourism. ■ FREE STATE BUSINESS 2020 7 FREE STATE BUSINESS 2021
