Next week (April 25) will see the launch by president Jacob Zuma of the 1 038-hectare Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP-SEZ).
Located in Harrismith in the Free State, it will focus on the automotive, agro-processing, logistics, ICT, pharmaceuticals and general processing sectors, according to Free State premier Ace Magashule.
“The MAP-SEZ will create opportunities for manufacturing as well as a regional and international trade environment within the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality,” he said.
Dti spokesperson, Sidwell Medupe, told FTW Online that SEZs were attractive to investors because they provided special support measures that were not available outside of the zones such as special tax concessions and close proximity to key value chains due to the development of clusters within the zones.
There are currently eight SEZs in South Africa, six of which have already been launched. While the MAP-SEZ will be launched shortly, the final SEZ, located near OR Tambo, has been designated but is currently not operational.
