RICHARDS Bay’s growing potential as a major investment drawcard was discussed during an oversight visit by a high-level government delegation last week.
The visit to the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) was part of activities leading up to the presidential engagement in Richards Bay on Thursday, assessing progress on investment projects within the Special Economic Zone.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) Parks Tau led a delegation that included Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina, MECs Musa Zondi and Siboniso Duma, and other government officials.
They visited Nyanza Light Metals, which has been cited among the zone’s pioneering investors.
The 80 000-tonne-per-year titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment manufacturing plant will process locally- and regionally-sourced titanium ore into high-value pigment for various industrial applications.
TiO2 pigment is widely used in manufacturing products such as paints, industrial coatings, plastics, inks, foods, medicines (pills and tablets), as well as most toothpastes.
It is set to generate more than 2 400 domestic jobs during construction and up to 850 skilled direct jobs once operational.
In his remarks, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Musa Zondi said his department continues to work closely with the zone and the DTIC to ensure Richards Bay is ‘optimally positioned to deliver on its mandate and contribute meaningfully to both provincial and national development objectives’.
His words were reiterated by Transport MEC Duma, who reaffirmed the department’s role as a catalyst for the economic growth of all sectors.
“We want our road networks to facilitate the movement of investors, workers and goods in all corners of the province.
“With enough budget, we wish to focus on rehabilitating and constructing road networks that will eventually make secondary cities in rural areas attractive to investors.
“This will help create job opportunities so ordinary members of society do not migrate into big cities,” said Duma.