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The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies will officially launch the completion of the first phase of the revitalised Botshabelo Industrial Park in Botshabelo, Free State. The first phase of the revitalisation includes the security infrastructure upgrade, fencing, street lighting and critical electricity requirements at a cost of R24 million.

Minister Davies says the revitalisation of Botshabelo Industrial Park was part of the R189 million 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.  

“Industrial Parks represent an opportunity for stimulating local economic development, growth and job creation. They further offer an opportunity for the influx of foreign direct investment. There is a need to stimulate industrial growth within these regions, including the current operating areas of the industrial parks some of which operate close to townships, distressed mining towns and labour sending areas,” said Davies.

He added that the notion of communities accessing jobs alongside industrial parks and small budding enterprises being developed as spin-off opportunities bleed into surrounding towns and regions.

“The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has recognised that these parks have the capacity to serve as catalysts for broader economic and industrial development in their host regions, mainly townships and rural areas. We would like to see them contributing to economic growth, diversification of economic activity, attracting investments to the areas they are located in, job creation and addressing the problem of  inequality”, said Davies. 

He highlighted that the Botshabelo Industrial Park will create employment for the people of Botshabelo and surrounding areas, promoting the growth of small businesses and co-operatives, attracting investments, and encouraging manufacturing.

The Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme is part of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) aimed at promoting industrialisation in the country and boosting the country’s manufacturing capacity to increase the production of exportable goods.

Issued by the Department of Trade and Industry