Special economic zones regulations being finalised

© belchonock – 123RF.com

Briefing reporters at the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development Cluster (ESEID) media briefing on Thursday, 20 November, the minister who chairs the cluster, said that SEZs are key to the implementation of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

"In this regard the Dube Trade Port has been designated as an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). This IDZ will focus on high-value, niche agricultural and horticultural products, as well as manufacturing and value-addition primarily for automotive, electronics and fashion garments sectors.

"The Department of Trade and Industry is currently finalising the SEZ regulations, which will be gazetted for public comment. Passage of these regulations will facilitate the establishment of the SEZ Advisory Board," he said.

In a latest effort by government to promote industrialisation, the Dube Trade Port in Durban formally become a special economic zone under the new Special Economic Zones Act 16 of 2014.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies granted the precinct an IDZ operating licence a few months ago.

President Jacob Zuma officially launched the special economic zone last month. The Dube Trade Port was officially opened in 2012 and included development areas, Dube AgriZone and Dube City.

Agricultural Policy Action Plan

Meanwhile, during the fourth administration, government adopted the Agricultural Policy Action Plan, which charts the way for an integrated agricultural value-chain.

Minister Nkwinti said significant progress has been made towards the finalisation of the commodity value-chain mapping exercise. This will enable government to specify where and how each commodity value chain will manifest.

"We have made progress in terms of integrated planning and action between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Rural Development and Land Reform. This will ensure that the allocation of land is informed by land capability and soil potential for targeted commodities."

In order to ensure access to land for production, just above 103 325 hectares of land were acquired and distributed to emerging or "transitional" farmers, of which 7 960 hectares were allocated to people living and/or working on farms, as part of creating tenure security for farm dwellers.

A total of 16 808 smallholder producers were supported through various interventions. This strategic and tactical alignment between the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform will contribute to continued production on the acquired land and the creation of one million jobs in line with the target set out in the National Development Plan.

Mineral Beneficiation Action Plan (MBAP)

"The MBAP [Mineral Beneficiation Action Plan] is being developed to advance local value-addition across five mineral value-chains, namely iron-ore and steel, platinum group metals, polymers, titanium and mining inputs," said Minister Nkwinti.

Delivering the Department of Trade and Industry's Budget Vote in July, Minister Davies said his department will this year work on a plan which will be a component of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

Minister Davies said over the years, government has spoken about the beneficiation of the country's mineral resources but that this has remained elusive for many years.

Water

Projects to improve water supply within the Waterberg area are reaching critical milestones.

"The Mokolo and Crocodile River Water Augmentation Project (Phase 1) is at construction phase. De-bottlenecking to improving operational efficiency by linking existing and new pipes has been achieved thus increasing delivery by an additional 57% of water. This will enable Eskom to commission four of its Medupi units and meet the forecasted high water demand scenarios until December 2015."

In order to expand land under irrigation and ensure access to water for agricultural purposes, 13 of the 78 authorised water use licenses were allocated to historically disadvantaged individuals and entities, amounting to 258 323 m3/a (cubic meters) volume of water.

A total of 105.68 hectares of land will be irrigated through the authorised licenses.