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KwaZulu-Natal Leader of Government Business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has heaped praises on the Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone. This is after the entity received the United Nations Investment Promotion Awards 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.

From about 29 entries from Special Economic Zones from across the globe, Dube Trade Port has been singled out by the United Nations for Conference for Trade Development (UNCTAD) for doing exceedingly well in promoting sustainable investment in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. A panel of UN-linked experts of economists from Europe and United States of America made this ground-breaking decision after a rigorous adjudicating.  

An excited Dube-Ncube pointed out: “When we unveiled the Aerotropolis Masterplan in October - we paid tribute to former Presidents of a democrat South Africa. We saluted Tata Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, JG Zuma and current President Cyril Ramaphosa. We are saluting them and their cabinet ministers for the support throughout the years.”  

She further explained: “In 2003, the national cabinet took a decision to relocate the old Durban International Airport to La Mercy. It was also decided to establish the Dube Trade Port which would incorporate the King Shaka International Airport. Importantly, one of the key strategic reasons for the relocation was to establish an integrated multi-modal logistics platform that would link the national road and rail systems to the seaports of Durban and Richards Bay, with an added value of air infrastructure to accommodate intercontinental-wide body aircraft.”

 She quipped: “The wider context and long-term strategic objective of the Dube Trade Port Project was the establishment of an Aerotropolis in the north of Durban, stretching from Umhlanga to Ballito. Critically, the basis of the decision to relocate the airport was a research which revealed that airports had a potential to shape business location and urban development in the 21st century, just as highways did in the 20th century.”

 She reflected: “On the 12th March 2012, our national and provincial leaders officially opened a building, housing the Dube Trade Port.  When we officially opened this facility, we announced developments including a road link that would provide additional access from the Cargo Terminal and Trade Zone to the N2 and R102 highways and also open up new property development opportunities in the area.”

 “Our investments in transport infrastructure has been aimed at the improvement of the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor. We made a bold decision to connect the major economic centres of Johannesburg Durban/Richards Bay, and at the same time, connect these centres with improved export capacity through our sea-ports and Air Cargo facility.”

She revealed: “By and large, through the intervening years, we have seen the construction and completion of the Cargo Terminal, Trade House - 29 South, Dube Square, Trade Zone and Dube City infrastructure, AgriZone.  We are also steaming ahead with the establishment of the cutting edge technology at the Dube Trade Port as inspired by the 4th Industrial Revolution.”

“It should be noted that 43 588 tonnes of international cargo has passed though the Dube Cargo Terminal between April 2015 and December 2018.  The greenhouses at the Dube AgriZone are now 100% occupied.  During the construction work at the Dube Trade Port, about 4,117 direct temporary jobs were created with 21, 330 indirect jobs also created for local communities.”

 She concluded: “We are excited about the fact that the Dube Trade Port has attracted an investment exceeding R12 billion. As we move towards the construction of Aerotropolis, we have strengthened the co-ordination with all spheres of government and neighbouring provinces. This will ensure seamless construction and completion of this strategic national assert which will benefit the whole nation and future generation.”

“Having this Greenfield site surrounded by a largely undeveloped area has created many opportunities for this democratic government, the private sector and social partners. The second phase of the Dube Trade Port is bringing 45 hectares of prime industrial land which will generate about more than R18 billion between now and 2024.”

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