Plans for a R16-million Customs Controlled Area (CCA) Gate Complex were unveiled at the Industrial Development Zone in Richards Bay earlier this week.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, said that the establishment of the CCA signalled the readiness of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) to conduct business and attract even more investors to Richards Bay.
He pointed out that the RBIDZ was tailored for the manufacturing of goods and production of services to boost beneficiation, investment, economic growth and the development of skills and employment.
“The CCA is the backbone of the IDZ programme, as it ensures full compliance with all South African Revenue Service (Sars) requirements and allows local investors to benefit from incentives such as VAT-free transactions, no import/export duties and expedited customs procedures.”
Zikalala said the RBIDZ Techno Park – which was launched as part of the CCA Gate Complex – was essential for the research that would influence the type of industrial development and innovation that could be pursued in the local economy.
“In view of Richards Bay’s ambition to become the leading heavy industrial node, it is inevitable that the RBIDZ should introduce the techno parks in its portfolio, as these would be catalysts in wooing different businesses in diverse sectors of the economy,” he commented.
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone Techno Hub is the second of four science and technology innovation centres to be rolled out in KwaZulu Natal this year, following the launch of the first techno hub in Port Shepstone last month.
Two more will be launched soon in Newcastle and Pietermaritzburg, respectively.
