Ilembe Chamber hears business confidence on the rise

Driving economic growth through economic development, industrialisation and land reform were the topics unpacked at the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism’s first Friday Business Club morning on October 4.

Guest speakers included Andrew Smith, sales director of the new multi-billion rand residential developments Zululami luxury coastal estate and Seaton equestrian estate, Tongaat Hulett executive Dan Marokane, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) department head, Siza Sibande and Owen Mungwe from Dube TradePort.

With millions of rands being poured into different parts of the North Coast by big conglomerates, Ilembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse said the scale of investments suggest a positive business sentiment in the region.

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Keynote speaker Siza Sibande highlighted the provincial governments seven-point plan to bring stability and growth-boosting reforms to Isithebe Industrial Estate in Mandeni.

Newly appointed Sibande will be heading up a task team to address the issues that have plagued the provincial government-owned estate that is home to many industries and factories.

In the past few years the industrial park has played a significant role in developing the economy in the region.

Sibande said the provinces long-term plan for Isithebe Industrial Estate was to make it the mainstay of manufacturing.

A large variety of industries operating from Isithebe contribute significantly in the economic activity of the area, providing up to 20 000 jobs, one third of Ilembe district’s population.

As the biggest state-owned industrial park, Sibande emphasised there would be an urgent focus on implementation of policies to drive economic growth and bring political stability to the region.

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Sibande said the area’s proximity to both the King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort special economic zone lends further impetus to the province’s goal of modelling Isithebe into a development area for heavy industry.

“Government has recognised that these parks have the capacity to serve as catalysts for broader economic and industrial development in their host regions, mainly townships and rural areas,” he added.

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