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The Leader of Government Business Nomusa Dube- Ncube has announced government’s determination to work with big business to create much needed jobs.  Today during lunchtime, she is scheduled to meet the management of Bell Equipment in Richards Bay. This is part of efforts aimed at stimulating manufacturing sector as announced by KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala during the State-of-the-Province-Address.

She remarked: “It should be remembered that Garry Bell, the Chief Executive Officer of Bell Equipment together with our entity, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zones took part in the round-table discussions under the auspices of the BRICS Business Council Working Group on Manufacturing. We used the discussions to highlight our progress in stimulating production within manufacturing as a sector.”

“Critically, the manufacturing sector is the second largest in the country and generates 20% of the provincial employment and contributing 25% to the province’s DGP. This has been sparked by investment incentives that this government offers to investors and companies that locate their manufacturing base here in this province. More importantly in Richards Bay IDZ and Dube Trade Port.”

Dube-Ncube, who is also the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs further pointed out: “My visit to Bell Equipment Plant is a display of our commitment to working with big business to grow our economy. We appreciate the fact that there is a memorandum of understanding between the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and Bell Equipment. This MoU gives small contractors access to earthmoving machinery. We support this MoU because we want small players to participate more meaningfully in major construction projects.”

Both Bell Equipment and Sanral acknowledged that access to sophisticated equipment used in construction is one of the biggest hurdles facing emerging companies. Such small players often do not have the capital to buy the machinery used for excavations, ground moving and the grading of roads.

“We further support Sanral, as a government entity, on its position to grow the construction and engineering sectors. Each year, this MoU will create an environment that attracts new entrants, especially black contractors who will create much needed jobs for thousands of people. In this regard, we are using our Black Industrialists Programme to support emerging entrepreneurs.”

“In addition, as the provincial government we believe that the cooperation between Sanral and Bell Equipment will help to promote fair competition in the construction and engineering sectors. Since the signing of this MoU, many black-owned contractors have access to finance, leasing and rental options, training and maintenance services. We pay tribute to Garry Bell and his team.”

NOTE TO EDITORS: Within the BRICS context - Bell Equipment has a partnership with Russian-based tipper truck specialist, Kamaz.  This partnership enables the two companies to provide trucks suited for many countries on the African continent.

The location of Bell Equipment within the industrial port of Richards Bay presents an excellent opportunity for Bell to exports to many countries around the world.

The manufacturing of a range of Kamaz heavy duty trucks last year has resulted in the creation of additional jobs in Bell’s Richards Bay manufacturing facility. Bell has about 3200 employees worldwide, of which about 2500 are located in South Africa.

Issued by The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs