Free State Industrial Park gets revamped

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“One of the fundamental objectives of the industrial policy priorities is the promotion of a broad-based industrialisation path characterised by the increased participation of historically disadvantaged people and marginalised regions in the mainstream of the industrial economy.

“Through this objective, the dti is committed to the creation of sustainable economic development platforms such as Industrial Clusters, value chains development and the revitalisation of industrial parks,” said the minister.

He said government is using different instruments to promote inclusive economic growth.

“We seek to promote broad participation through the new Codes of Good Practice of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, which, among others, is encouraging larger industrial companies to source from the smaller companies.

“We also use tools like designations. According to designations, government will procure only from locally produced products,” said the minister.

Government is promoting black industrialists with the Black Industrialist Programme forming part of inclusive economic growth. To date, R250m has been approved for five applicants in the programme.

The minister said the revitalisation of the Industrial Parks Programme is targeted at providing a platform for industrialisation in targeted regions, thereby promoting growth and sustainability, diversification of economic actives and job creation.

“The revitalisation programme is aimed at providing industrialists with an environment favourable for inclusive growth and decent employment and equity by increasing the security and attractiveness of the industrial parks.

“The revitalisation of Botshabelo Industrial Park is part of the R189m invested in covering six prioritised parks under the Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme to promote industrialisation and increase contribution to job creation and the country’s economic growth,” said Minister Davies.

Botshabelo Industrial Park is the first of the 10 state-owned industrial parks to reach completion.

The first phase of the revitalisation includes security infrastructure upgrade, fencing, street lighting and critical electricity requirements at a cost of R24m.