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Revitalisation of industrial parks creating jobs

davies - industrial parks

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has launched the first phase of the Komani Industrial Park revitalisation project, saying the revitalisation of industrial parks is creating job opportunities for many locals.

Industrial parks creating jobs

Speaking at the launch on Monday in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, Minister Davies said the industrial park has created jobs for 71 locals.

“During the first phase of the revitalisation programme of Komani, seven Small Micro Medium Enterprises were appointed as sub-contractors at the value of R5.3 million [and] 71 local labourers were employed and 63% of these were youth,” said Minister Davies.

The launch marked the completion of the first phase of the project which covers security upgrading of the park. The Department of Trade and Industry has so far invested R22.5 million in the revitalisation of the park.

This was in response to a call by President Jacob Zuma to work towards full scale industrialisation and inclusive growth.

At the launch, which was in collaboration with the provincial and local government of the Chris Hani District Municipality, as well as its agency (Chris Hani Development Agency), Minister Davies emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for more people to play in the manufacturing sector.

“The manufacturing sector is capable of creating more jobs and thus it must be supported. We also need to search for job creation opportunities that will boost the economy. Labour absorbing sectors like component manufacturing, agro-processing and clothing and textile can also address the unemployment challenges when supported,” said the Minister.

The Minister referred to the Black Industrialists Programme which aims to increase role players in the manufacturing sector. To date, the programme has supported 22 black industrialists and created 1 500 jobs with R1.5 billion being injected to support the industrialists.

The Komani project is the fourth industrial park to be launched this year and is anticipated to create more jobs for the locals and boost the local economies.

Minister Davies added that to date, the four launched parks combined employ almost 40 000 people.

“We welcome the initiative because it inspires hope for the local people as this will create jobs and boost our local economy,” Provincial Chairperson of the Black Management Forum Mfundo Tsheketshe said. – SAnews.gov.za