Sustainable Development Goal 9 was formulated and adopted in view of Africa’s inefficacy to industrialize. This policy intends to ‘build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’. Industrial improvement is recognised as one of many nation’s high priorities, subsequently numerous emerging opportunities abound for Africa to industrialize. To seize such alternatives, African governments are required to implement progressive approaches to industrial policy, certainly one of which is an elevated focus on the function of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks as devices of business growth.
Industrial Parks and SEZ’s are two of the spatial interventions identified by the South African authorities and are subsequently aligned with world approaches. Industrial spaces could be leveraged as catalysts for socio-economic growth. All issues thought of, such areas are recognised as enablers and are subsequently often managed as such, and not for rent-seeking purposes. Moreover, industrial parks and SEZs successfully lend themselves as areas for piloting and experimentation of latest technologies and different approaches to industrial improvement, as well as for neighborhood and environmental programmes owing to the nexus between these three elements.
Quick and SEZs, as nicely as related industrial areas, have the potential to develop the economy as a outcome of owing to the opportunities for employment and establishing new companies and worth chains. This consequently develops the tax base and local financial exercise which is important in facilitating social growth. The myriad of interventions established through industrial spaces assist industrial and economic development, the transition to good cities and transformation to a green economy as nicely as facilitate adoption of 4th Industrial Revolution solutions. What’ Big , such interventions provide a platform for widespread engagement of a quantity of stakeholders that helps win-win outcomes serving financial, social and environmental pursuits. Accordingly, industrial parks and SEZ’s have the propensity to offer increased worth, assuming the required planning and implementation is pursued proactively.
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There are presently an estimated 4000 industrial zones globally (SEZ’s, EPZ, FTZ’s etcetera), evidently demonstrating the validity of such mechanisms. There is, nevertheless, debate as to the success of these zones and analysis has subsequently recognized multiple success elements, similar to governance, enabling regulatory frameworks, location and forms of providers offered. Suffice it to say, it remains worthwhile to explore the training gained in executing such spaces and the impression on supporting economic actions in a sustainable manner that support optimistic industrial, social and environmental outcomes.
The Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks Programmes of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) will play a crucial role in the effectuation of South Africa’s economic reconstruction and restoration plan. This in the end stems from the SEZ Programme representing the core of the reimagined industrial strategy, which is purposefully structured to stimulate native and foreign direct investments.
Notwithstanding the catastrophic impression of the COVID-19 pandemic on international economies, the worth of personal investments within the South African SEZs noticed a R1.8 billion increase from March 2019 to March 2020, whereas the variety of operational investments rose from 129 to 143 in the identical time frame. It is projected that the quantity and worth of operational investments will increase by almost R10 billion when the next financial 12 months ends.
Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones characterize a key feature inside the convention of the upcoming and eagerly awaited Manufacturing Indaba. The digital conference and exhibition, to be hosted between 22 – 25 November 2021, is ready to assemble international industry consultants to address technological innovations and evolving developments, whereas in search of actionable solutions to pressing challenges. The platform will empower thought leaders to exchange concepts, insights and experiences and serves to raise consciousness of emerging opportunities inside the realm that is manufacturing.
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