Dube TradePort scoops international award

Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone scooped the coveted 2019 United Nations Investment Promotions awards held in Geneva recently.

From about 29 Special Economic Zone entries across the world, Dube TradePort was singled out by the UN Conference on Trade and Development for doing exceedingly well in promoting sustainable investment in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

The award particularly recognises the facilitation of the investment of R1.3 billion by Mara Phones, which is part of the Mara Group based in Dubai, for the manufacturing of the first South African smartphone in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone.

KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube praised the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and said the greenfield site, surrounded largely by undeveloped land has created many economic opportunities.

The MEC added that the long-term strategic objective of the Dube TradePort project was the establishment of an aerotropolis in the north of Durban, stretching from Umhlanga to Ballito.

“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,” said Dube-Ncube.

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She noted that government’s investments in transport infrastructure had 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 and Richards Bay and simultaneously connect these centres with improved export capacity through our sea-ports and air cargo facility.”

Dube-Ncube said 43 588 tonnes of international cargo had passed though the Dube Cargo Terminal between April 2015 and December 2018.

During the construction work at the Dube TradePort, about 4 117 direct temporary jobs were created, with 21 330 indirect jobs also created for local communities.

She said the decision to establish the Aerotropolis in the north was based on research that revealed that airports had the potential to shape business location and urban development in the 21st century just as highways did in the 1990’s

“We are excited about Dube TradePort attracting an investment of more than R12-billion. As we move towards the construction of an aerotropolis, we have strengthened the coordination with all spheres of government and neighbouring provinces. This will ensure seamless construction and completion of this strategic national asset which will benefit the whole nation and future generations,” she said.

The second phase of the Dube TradePort will unlock development on 45 hectares of prime industrial land which will generate more than R18-billion between now and 2024.

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