President Zuma to launch the MAP-SEZ in Tshiame, Harrismith

Apr 17, 2017: On April 25, 2017, The President of Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma will launch the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ) in Tshiame, Harrismith, in the Eastern Free State.

According to Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, "The launch of the 1038-hectare MAP-SEZ is another significant milestone in the implementation of the department's Special Economic Zone Programme, which is aimed at accelerating economic growth and development in designated regions of the country."

"The Industrial Policy Action Plan identifies SEZ's as key contributors to economic development. They are growth engines towards government's strategic objectives of industrialisation, regional development and employment creation. The SEZ programme has entered a full implementation phase. This is one of the critical instruments that the dti is using to accelerate industrialisation in the country," Davies added.

The SEZ programme is a critical tool for the attraction of the foreign direct investments, creation of decent jobs, an establishment of new industrial centres, as well as development and improvement of the existing infrastructure.

E. S. Magashule, Premier of the Free State, said, "The MAP-SEZ will create opportunities for manufacturing as well as a regional and international trade environment with added value chain within the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality. The social and economic benefits, as well as regional development, will be key and will be enhanced by creating a prosperous trade city and functional trade ecosystem (SIP2), which will enable the beneficiation of mineral and natural resources and attract foreign direct investment."