|
Kwazulu-Natal's emergence as the focal point of industrial development in sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to the unmatched natural resources and well developed first-world infrastructure. Economic activities in KwaZulu-Natal are mainly centered in the eThekweni metropole and Pietermaritzburg, with significant contributions in the Richard's Bay/Empangeni area, the Ladysmith/Ezakheni area, the Newcastle/Madadeni regions as well as the KwaZulu-Natal south coast regions.
Investment opportunities A study by Brussels-based international investment advisers examined the competitiveness of KwaZulu-Natal as an investment destination using a matrix of social and economic factors. It found that KwaZulu-Natal is a competitive region for foreign investment, particularly in relation to re-export opportunities through the port of Durban. Secondly, based on considerations of cost, certain selected industrial undertakings can be operated more profitably in KwaZulu-Natal than in competing investment regions in the world. The province has identified nine prime targets for inward investment. These are textiles, clothing, plastic products, chemicals, fabricated metal products, automotive components, wood and wood products, footwear, machinery and appliances. Of these, primary and processed aluminium at world competitive prices from local suppliers, provides a real opportunity for investors in the sector.
Trade and Investment: KwaZulu-NatalTrade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal promotes strategic business growth in the province. Services rendered to prospective inward investors include:
• Pre- and post-establishment support, such as feasibility studies, liaison with government departments, marketing, technical and financial analyses, and assistance with legal formalities and regional regulations.
• Provision of infrastructure and utilities.
• Lease or sale of land and property.
• Loans for acquisition of plant and equipment.
• Working capital loans.
• Introductions to key contacts, such as auditing companies, legal practitioners, material suppliers and shipping groups.
• Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal
ManufacturingThe three largest sub-sectors in the manufacturing sector are pulp and paper products (19%), the chemicals and petro-chemical sub-sector (17%), followed closely by food and beverages (16%.) The beverage sub-sector is much smaller than the food sub-sector, which accounts for 84% thereof with a value of R2,6 billion.
In the chemical and petro-chemical sub-sector, industrial chemicals comprise a third, at R1.1-billion, of the gross output, petroleum and coal products 30% at R1-billion, chemicals 21% at R0.7-billion, and rubber and plastic products the balance. In the textiles, clothing and leather sub-sector, which represents 15% of the manufacturing sector, textiles contributed 54% at R1.6-billion and clothing 27% at R0.8-billion.
The manufacturing sector has an export bias and nearly a third of South Africa's manufactured exports originate in KwaZulu-Natal.
TourismA unique opportunity exists for investment in tourism in the St Lucia region due to the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative. The governments of Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland are launching tourism investment opportunities on a scale and grandeur unparalleled in Africa - in an area of immense tourism potential underpinned by a wealth of natural and cultural resources, including a pristine coastline, classic African game parks, the southern most coral reefs in Africa and rich indigenous cultural traditions.
Lubombo Spatial Development InitiativeThis programme straddles southern Mozambique, eastern Swaziland and northern KwaZulu-Natal and, for the first time, provides access to some of the most picturesque and unspoiled natural attractions this continent has to offer. At the heart of the region nestles the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, listed last year as a World Heritage Site.
The Lubombo region is currently enjoying the biggest and most prolonged tourism boom in its history. In South Africa, 1999 marked the eleventh successive year of increased overseas visitor-arrival numbers, which have grown at a compound rate of no less that 17.5% per annum over the past decade.
The growth in international tourism comes on top of a large, established domestic tourism market currently worth twice as much as its foreign counterpart.
Recognising the opportunities offered by this robust growth, a number of exclusive groundbreaking investment opportunities with exceptional attributes in tourism terms have been identified in each of the three countries.
Sites in here nodes in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, two in Swaziland and one in Mozambique have been identified and packaged. They range from beach resorts to boutique hotels and game lodges, and are designed to help establish the Lubombo region as a tourism destination of international repute.
Until now, the region's inaccessibility has inhibited development beyond some game reserves and a few lodges. A major new tourist road and secondary roads are being constructed as part of the Lubombo SDI.
To date, some R630-million has been committed to regional support networks (including new roads and the upgrading of the major national access route), park infrastructure (including game fences, internal road networks and tourism facilities), the restocking of the park and various regional programmes including major new malaria eradication drive.
These improvements are currently being implemented in a phased manner over three years. The new infrastructure is opening up the Lubombo region thus creating opportunities for developing tourism facilities on a meaningful scale in prime location within an approved development plan
|
Articles 
ZAR 
USD 
-3.031 %
