Unemployment in Gauteng is to receive attention with several projects receiving funds to alleviate the problem.

“Unemployment in general and youth unemployment in particular remain unacceptably high in South Africa. The government on its part will intensify efforts to boost economic growth in the province,” MEC for Finance Mandla Nkomfe said in Johannesburg on Tuesday ahead of presenting the 2012 provincial budget.

The provincial government has set aside R23-million to go towards the Industrial Development Zone of the OR Tambo International Airport.

“The development of a globally competitive airport city in the OR Tambo International Airport is aligned to the Aerotropolis programme. The programme seeks to grow the Gauteng economy through crowding in foreign and local direct investment in this Industrial Development Zone,” said Nkomfe.

These initiatives seek to train tool-making artisans, steel industry sector developments among others by 2014.

Over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework R7-million will be allocated towards registration of green projects which can generate foreign currency inflows by 2014.

Meanwhile, R4-million has been allocated to the upgrade of the Maropeng infrastructure while R7-million has been allocated to the Constitution Hill project where a visitor centre and Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in the precinct of Constitution Hill will be established.

The province called on government, organised labour and the private sector to address the unemployment challenge.