S economy RICHARDS BAY
S economy RICHARDS BAY IDZ (KWAZULU-NATAL) Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is owned solely by the KwaZulu-Natal government, reporting to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs through an accounting authority that is appointed by the MEC. The government’s strategic support programme called Operation Phakisa has set a target to grow the Ocean Economy’s GDP contribution to R177bn by 2033. The international seaport of Richards Bay is tailored for manufacturing and storage of minerals and products to boost beneficiation, investment, economic growth and, most importantly, the development of skills and employment. First-world infrastructure allows for the full exploitation of the area’s natural and strategic advantages. Through the excellent industrial infrastructure, well-established network of shipments, tax and duty-free incentives, RBIDZ aims to encourage international competitiveness and the attraction of export-orientated manufacturing investment. The government’s strategic support programme called Operation Phakisa has set a target to grow the Ocean Economy’s GDP contribution to R177bn by 2033. South Africa has eight major ports including two of the world’s top container ports and two of the world’s biggest dry bulk ports. Richards Bay port is one of the most strategic anchorages for the country’s economic growth. South Africa is perfectly located to serve all major oil fields in West and East Africa. Five of the country’s “The RBIDZ is pleased to announce that construction of the R1.3-billion edible oils plant by Wilmar has started. The project is expected to inject much-needed employment in the King Cetshwayo District and should be completed by the fourth quarter, 2022. The RBIDZ has appointed a contractor for Phase 1 of the R4.5-billion titanium dioxide plant. This phase will be operational by the fourth quarter, 2021 and Phase 2 construction will commence in January 2022 (40 000 tons per annum plant). “The RBIDZ will launch two investor projects expected to commence construction in the second and third quarters of 2021. The two plants are for an industrial paints manufacturer and a chemical producer with a collective value of over R1.1-billion.” Address by Premier Sihle Zikalala: KwaZulu-Natal State of the Province, 26 February 2021 major ports provide world-class oil rig and drillship repair, refurbishment and maintenance services at highly competitive rates. Aquaculture presents an attractive opportunity to reduce import dependency and to ensure a sustainable supply of fish and seafood products to South African consumers. The farming of freshwater species is concentrated in Limpopo, the Mpumalanga Lowveld and Northern KwaZulu-Natal. RBIDZ has been earmarked as one of the aquaculture development zones. Agricultural production is most dominant in KwaZulu-Natal and includes sugar cane, fresh produce, field crop and livestock production as well as forest plantations. RBIDZ is seeking investors to set up techno parks in RBIDZ so that South Africans can benefit from new ideas and technologies. Techno parks provide valuable insights and intellectual resources from which the other sectors situated in RBIDZ can benefit immensely. There are exciting investment opportunities that lie within the RBIDZ renewable energy sector. SALDANHA BAY IDZ (WESTERN CAPE) The Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone SOC Ltd (SBIDZ) is the first SEZ to be located within a port and is the only sector-specific SEZ in South Africa catering to the energy and maritime industries. The Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone Licencing Company SOC Ltd (SBIDZ-LC) was formally awarded an Operator’s Licence in 2013. Its location at the southernmost tip of Africa, in the largest and deepest (23m draught) natural port in the southern hemisphere means that it is the perfect place to accommodate and service a wide range of vessels. It is ideally situated to service East and West African sea traffic, providing a linkage point for both African and international markets. It is envisioned that this IDZ will serve as the primary oil, gas and marine repair engineering and logistics services complex in Africa, servicing the needs of the upstream oil exploration industry and production service companies operating in the oil and gas fields off Sub-Saharan Africa. “SBIDZ has to date attracted over R21-billion worth of investments. SBIDZ has also signed eight new investment agreements with operational companies in the maritime, oil and gas sectors. These investments will lead to permanent and sustainable jobs that the country needs to create for its citizens. “The development of the zone will also have to align and integrate with the entire area of Saldanha and West Coast region to achieve real projects that benefit all.” Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Fikile Majola, 28 February 2021 12 | Service magazine
economy S Aerial map of the East London Industrial Development Zone EAST LONDON IDZ (EASTERN CAPE) The ELIDZ is a state-owned corporation set up by government through the South African IDZ Programme (now SEZs Programme) to develop, operate and maintain modern infrastructure and to attract strategic investments for the region. ELIDZ is owned by the provincial government, the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It is funded by the dtic and the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Established in 2003, as part of the South African government initiative to improve industrial competitiveness and economic growth in the country, the zone has become a prime industrial park in South Africa, renowned for its customised solutions for various industries including automotive, agro-processing and aquaculture. The ELIDZ is one of the first IDZs in South Africa to be operational and represents an ideal choice for the location of exported manufacturing and processing. Its location provides investors with connections to major markets, locally and across the globe. Service magazine | 13
