With the RBIDZ looking to maximize on opportunities provided by the proposed Special Economic Zone Bill, and with Richards Bay's status as one of the fastest growing industrial areas in South Africa, the project has almost infinite potential when it comes to issues of local and national economic benefits, job creation and sustainability. Central to achieving these objectives is the role of the company commissioned to prepare the 50 year Integrated Master Plan - Focus Project Management.
"Focus Project Management gets the big picture, and they have the skills to handle the finer details as well. As a consortium, they are proficient across a range of sectors, and with their understanding of the many complexities involved with this project we know that they have the capabilities to take the RBIDZ forward and to achieve our 50 year master plan," says RBIDZ CEO Ike Nxedlana.
Services undertaken by Focus Project Management at the RBIDZ include master planning and programme development, development engineering, project and programme management, macro economic impact expertise, local economic development, specialist environmental planning, industrial estate planning; marketing, investment promotion and facilitation services and most importantly, phasing of the developments and construction programme planning.
Nxedlana is looking to make the most of the social, economic and political opportunities that this project offers. "The advent of the RBIDZ is primarily aimed at boosting economic activity and attracting international investors who wish to take advantage of the investment incentives on offer. The focus will be on encouraging investment in export-orientated manufacturing industries."
However, the people of the province, the district municipal area and the local municipality, will also be major benefactors. The strategy of the RBIDZ is to attract big investors that think local, meaning that local labour and existing small, medium and micro enterprises will benefit from the range of new clients who will be a part of the RBIDZ, whilst the Uthungulu District and the City of uMhlathuze Municipality will have access to additional funds thanks to the fact that a growing number of large companies will be paying rates and using utilities.
The sustainability of massive projects such as these is a key concern. One area that always attracts much interest is that of job creation, and according to Nxedlana they have favoured investors who are more labour intensive, as this will further stimulate and contribute to the number of jobs that will be created over the entire course of the project.
