Sustainable Development Goal 9 was formulated and adopted in view of Africa’s inefficacy to industrialize. This policy intends to ‘build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’. Industrial improvement is recognised as one of the nation’s prime priorities, therefore numerous emerging alternatives abound for Africa to industrialize. To seize such alternatives, African governments are required to implement innovative approaches to industrial policy, one of which is an increased concentrate on the function of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks as devices of business development.
Industrial Parks and SEZ’s are two of the spatial interventions recognized by the South African government and are subsequently aligned with world approaches. Industrial areas may be leveraged as catalysts for socio-economic growth. All issues thought-about, such spaces are recognised as enablers and are therefore often managed as such, and not for rent-seeking purposes. Moreover, industrial parks and SEZs effectively lend themselves as spaces for piloting and experimentation of recent technologies and totally different approaches to industrial improvement, as well as for group and environmental programmes owing to the nexus between these three aspects.
Industrial parks and SEZs, in addition to associated industrial areas, have the potential to develop the economy because owing to the alternatives for employment and establishing new companies and worth chains. This consequently develops the tax base and local economic activity which is important in facilitating social improvement. The myriad of interventions established by way of industrial spaces assist industrial and financial growth, the transition to smart cities and transformation to a green financial system 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 helps win-win outcomes serving financial, social and environmental interests. Accordingly, industrial parks and SEZ’s have the propensity to provide elevated value, 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, nevertheless, debate as to the success of these zones and analysis has subsequently identified a number of success elements, such as governance, enabling regulatory frameworks, location and forms of companies supplied. Suffice it to say, it stays worthwhile to discover the learning gained in executing such areas and the influence on supporting financial actions in a sustainable manner that support positive 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 function in the effectuation of South Africa’s economic reconstruction and recovery plan. This ultimately stems from the SEZ Programme representing the core of the reimagined industrial technique, which is purposefully structured to stimulate native and overseas direct investments.
Notwithstanding the catastrophic impression of the COVID-19 pandemic on world economies, the worth of personal investments within the South African SEZs saw a R1.eight billion increase from March 2019 to March 2020, while the variety of operational investments rose from 129 to 143 in the identical time frame. It is projected that the number and value of operational investments will increase by virtually R10 billion when the next monetary yr ends.
Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones symbolize a key function throughout the convention of the upcoming and eagerly awaited Manufacturing Indaba. The digital conference and exhibition, to be hosted between 22 – 25 November 2021, is about to assemble worldwide industry consultants to address technological innovations and evolving developments, whereas looking for actionable options to urgent challenges. The platform will empower thought leaders to exchange ideas, insights and experiences and serves to raise awareness of emerging alternatives throughout the realm that is manufacturing.
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