A new study finding conducted by the World Bank on South Africa’s Special Economic Zones Programme was welcomed by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau on Monday.
A World Bank study has concluded that South Africa's Special Economic Zones Programme (SEZ's) has proved successful so far, attracting some R14.8 billion in revenue and creating more than 30 000 jobs.
The World Bank study was welcomed by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau on Monday, who said that the findings confirm that South Africa has the infrastructure, legal framework, and institutional capacity to build a world-class SEZ programme.
“The study draws on surveys from all 12 SEZs nationwide, interviews with provincial government representatives and SEZs businesses, administrative data from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), South African Revenue Service, National Treasury, and international case studies from India, China, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.”
Tau added that, as the government, they are encouraged by the outcomes of this study. “It has confirmed the impressive progress that we have achieved in the roll-out of the programme, as well as the hugely positive impact that it has made on the economy of the country in general, and the provinces where they are located in particular.”
