PROVINCIAL FOCUS
Writer: Dale Hes
Gauteng
backs economic recovery plan
A
s the eco-
and young people into
nomic hub of
high growth priority sec-
South Africa,
tors of the post-COVID-19 new Gauteng economy.
Gauteng will play a
“These sectors dI-
major role in helping the country recover
rectly echo the national
from the impact of the
strategy, with a focus on
Coronavirus Disease
green energy, advanced
(COVID-19).
manufacturing, the digital economy, business ser-
The province is
vices, infrastructure and
already taking action to kickstart economic recovery. In his address at Parliament during the
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the province is throwing its weight behind the Economic Reconstruction and Recover y Plan.
nomic Reconstruction
Infrastructure investment
and Recovery Plan,
construction, and agroprocessing,” he said. Premier Makhura highlighted the R3.4 billion
growth sectors to drive
Tshwane Automotive SEZ,
special economic zones
which is already under
Infrastructure investment
(SEZs) and new industrial
construction, as the start-
Premier David Makhura
is a crucial pillar of the
clusters.
ing point for expanding
outlined how the pro-
national recovery plan,
vincial government will
and Gauteng has also
ing special purpose
eventually extend across
support the plan.
placed this as a top prior-
vehicles to finance bulk
all priority sectors. The SEZ
ity, working with a number
infrastructure to unlock
will centre on the produc-
ised province, and
of partners to drive invest-
private sector develop-
tion of Ford vehicles, with
driver of over one-
ment.
ment in strategic new
a capacity to produce
nodes, new cities and
200 000 vehicles per year by 2022.
debate on the Eco-
“As the most urban-
third of the Republic’s
Gauteng is focused
The second is by creat-
economy, we take
on using infrastructure
SEZs in each metro and
seriously our respon-
investment to reignite the
district.
sibility as one of the
economy in two critical
main engines of the
ways.
national recovery,” said the Premier.
42
The first is by co-investing with investors in high
economic growth that will
revitalised township
Township economy
industrial parks, we are
Special attention is also
bringing Blacks, women
being paid to developing
“Through the SEZ and
Public Sector Manager • December 2020/January 2021
