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Creating a conducive climate for investment The Interim CEO of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency, Dr Matata Mokoele, explains how LEDA is building infrastructure and supporting initiatives to attract investors.
Dr Matata Mokoele, CEO
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he Limpopo Province investment climate is characterised by highvalue sectors that drive world economies in many ways. Agriculture, tourism and mining continue to define the future economic growth trajectory for the province. Traditionally, these sectors boosted gross domestic product through their primary activities. As LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2019/20
the world evolves and new opportunities emerge in the industrial value chains, these sectors are increasingly becoming key to economic growth through the transformation and industrialisation of the province. Limpopo Province, whose employment is largely driven by the government sector, adopted the Limpopo Development Plan five years ago as a socio-economic transformation blueprint. It outlined how the government in collaboration with civil society institutions could unlock economic growth through appropriate policy. For instance, mining and agriculture were identified as the linchpin for industrialisation through the beneficiation of these resources. The province continues to see steady growth in hunting which can be a springboard in the tourism sector for growth and transformation. The province continues to lead the country in terms of arrivals from the African continent and the tourism sector’s contribution to job creation is significant. These developments and future economic growth are driven through institutions such as the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) which develops and promotes SMMEs and cooperatives, investment promotion, business funding and caters for the provision of industrial parks. These industrial parks, situated across the five districts of the province, stimulate manufacturing in line with the Limpopo Development Plan and National Development Plan. LEDA is collaborating with National Department of Trade and Industry (dti) in refurbishing industrial parks in Seshego and Nkowankowa. The goal is to revitalise rural and township economies. The Limpopo Development Plan, which is due for revision for the next five years, has laid a very good foundation for the MTF period. Local and international investors have many avenues for exploring collaboration with local emerging enterprises.
SMMES and co-operatives Support for SMMEs and co-operatives in the province is well documented. LEDA has created and implemented a business incubation
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