Sustainable Development Goal 9 was formulated and adopted in view of Africa’s inefficacy to industrialize. This coverage intends to ‘build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’. Industrial growth is recognised as one of the nation’s high priorities, due to this fact various 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 increased give attention to the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks as devices of industrial development.
Industrial Parks and SEZ’s are two of the spatial interventions identified by the South African government and are subsequently aligned with global approaches. Industrial spaces can be leveraged as catalysts for socio-economic growth. All issues thought-about, such areas are recognised as enablers and are due to this fact usually managed as such, and never for rent-seeking functions. Moreover, industrial parks and SEZs effectively lend themselves as spaces for piloting and experimentation of latest technologies and different approaches to industrial growth, in addition to for neighborhood and environmental programmes owing to the nexus between these three features.
Industrial parks and SEZs, in addition to associated industrial spaces, have the potential to grow the economy as a end result of owing to the alternatives for employment and establishing new companies and value chains. This consequently develops the tax base and native financial exercise which is important in facilitating social improvement. The myriad of interventions established through industrial areas support industrial and financial growth, the transition to smart cities and transformation to a green economy as properly as facilitate adoption of 4th Industrial Revolution options. What’s more, such interventions present a platform for widespread engagement of multiple stakeholders that supports win-win outcomes serving financial, social and environmental interests. Accordingly, เกจ์ลมsumo 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 at present an estimated 4000 industrial zones globally (SEZ’s, EPZ, FTZ’s etcetera), evidently demonstrating the validity of such mechanisms. There is, however, debate as to the success of those zones and analysis has subsequently recognized a quantity of success factors, such as 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 areas and the impact on supporting economic activities in a sustainable manner that help constructive 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 critical role within the effectuation of South Africa’s economic reconstruction and restoration plan. This ultimately stems from the SEZ Programme representing the core of the reimagined industrial technique, which is purposefully structured to stimulate native and foreign direct investments.
Notwithstanding the catastrophic influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on international economies, the value of personal investments in the South African SEZs noticed a R1.8 billion increase from March 2019 to March 2020, while the number of operational investments rose from 129 to 143 in the identical time-frame. It is projected that the quantity and value of operational investments will enhance by nearly R10 billion when the following monetary 12 months ends.
Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones symbolize a key function inside the conference of the upcoming and eagerly awaited Manufacturing Indaba. The digital convention and exhibition, to be hosted between 22 – 25 November 2021, is set to assemble international business consultants to handle technological innovations and evolving developments, while in search of actionable solutions to pressing challenges. The platform will empower thought leaders to trade ideas, insights and experiences and serves to raise awareness of rising alternatives throughout the realm that is manufacturing.
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