Provincial government initiatives
Premier Ace Magashule identified the mining, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and transport sectors as critical, with investment in these sectors vital for creating sustainable economic growth. He mentioned that a number of projects are in the pipeline in these sectors but need capital injection for growth and expansion.
The Gauteng, Free State, KZN corridor development is one major project which will be undertaken by government to enable this to serve as a logistics hub for the country. For the Free State province, its Maluti-a-Phofung Industrial Development Zone comprises the Harrismith Gateway and Tshiame Industrial Development area.
“The establishment of a container rollout in Qwaqwa to enable commodity storage has already commenced,” he said. “Deliberations around the N8 rail link as part of the broader N8 corridor development project are back on track and a plan will be ready for the project by the end of this financial year.”
Investment in the projects showcased during the conference could spell massive growth and economic transformation for the Free State province, said Magashule.
“Some of these projects include in transport: a vehicle distribution centre and rail infrastructure development; and in manufacturing: DPE and PVC pipes, textile fabric, tooling and machinery, roof sheets, jewellery, medical waste treatment, manufacturing and more.
“We need to mine tourism and enable enhanced development to reserves and resorts within the province. In agriculture, we need to value-add to the ostrich hub in the Xhariep District — which is the Free State poultry hub, as well as develop the agri-parks situated strategically in the province.”