R216m in upgrades for industrial parks countrywide

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to spend R216 million on renovations at five industrial parks in the country.

This week, Minister Rob Davies said the renovations are aimed at upgrading the parks’ infrastructure so they can be better positioned to contribute to the country’s industrial development, economic growth and job creation.

“Last year, the DTI spent more than R180 million for the upgrading of six industrial parks spread across five provinces in the first phase of our Revitalisation of Industrial Parks Programme.

“We have set aside R216 million from our critical infrastructure incentive pro- gramme to start revitalising five more this year,” said Davies.

The first phase of the revitalisation of the Nkowankowa, Ekandustria, Bodirelo, Phuthaditjhaba and Garankuwa Industrial Parks is due to commence after their budgets were approved late last year.

The four-phase programme starts with the upgrading of security infrastructure.

The DTI identified a need to revitalise industrial parks located in various parts of the country, mainly the former homelands, as part of efforts to promote industrialisation, manufacturing and job creation

“The positive impact of the programme on the economy on the areas where the parks are located is felt as soon as the implementation begins, as most of the labour and construction materials are procured from those areas,” Davies said.

“The revitalisation process will ensure that the upgraded parks appeal to private investors, provide a conducive environment and attract investments that will create jobs and assist in promoting economic transformation,” said the Minister.

According to the DTI, parks must be efficiently run to facilitate market access for goods manufactured there. “They must provide financial and non-financial support and be clustered along industrial sector and valuechain lines.” – SAnews.gov.za