Good morning, and a warm welcome to the eThekwini Municipality. It is my distinct honour to officially welcome you to this Second International Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Conference.
I extend gratitude to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for choosing our city as the host for this pivotal gathering. Your decision to convene here underscores the strategic importance of our region and the critical role we play in South Africa’s industrial landscape.
When we gather under the theme, “Reigniting Industrialisation through World-Class SEZs,” we are speaking to the heartbeat of our national development agenda. The work we do here, the partnerships we forge, and the strategies we deliberate on are blueprints for a future where inclusive economic growth is a tangible reality for millions of our people.
Your Excellency, Deputy President, we are profoundly honoured by your presence. Your unwavering commitment to advancing investment into the country has been instrumental in positioning South Africa as a preferred global investment destination. Through initiatives like the Annual Investment Conference and your relentless pursuit of investment pledges, you have demonstrated that South Africa is open for business. Your keynote address will set the tone for our critical deliberations.
As the Mayor of a city that is home to Dube Trade Port, I can attest to the transformative power of Special Economic Zones. Dube Trade Port is more than an industrial park; it is an integrated ecosystem catalysing economic activity across our region. Its investments in aerotropolis infrastructure, agro-processing, and high-tech manufacturing are creating jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening our city’s position as a critical node in the global supply chain. The success of Dube Trade Port is intrinsically linked to the prosperity of eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrating how focused industrial policy can lift entire communities.
Our strategic location is our competitive advantage. EThekwini is home to the Durban Port, the busiest and one of the largest ports on the African continent. This port, along with our rail and road networks, positions us as a natural gateway to Africa and the World.
In an era of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), our city is poised to become the premier hub for trade and investment across the continent. The corridors of our economy lead into the heart of Africa, and as we will hear from the AfCFTA Secretary-General, the opportunities for export-led growth are immense. We must leverage this position to ensure South Africa is the first port of call for businesses investing in the continent.
My message today is a call for unity of purpose. The challenges of unemployment, inequality, and poverty cannot be solved by one sphere of government alone. They require an integrated approach.
We must strengthen the partnership between local, provincial, and national government, working seamlessly with the DTIC, under the stewardship of Minister Parks Tau, to drive industrialisation. The launch of the Industrial Policy here is a crucial step, and it must be implemented through coordinated action where our local economic development plans align with national strategies to create a unified industrial force. Minister Tau, your leadership is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with you.
In this quest, we must increase our efforts on local manufacturing and assembly. We have seen the immense success of our Automotive Sector—a shining example of what is possible when policy, infrastructure, and investment align. The continuous investments from global giants like Toyota, Mahindra, and Volvo in our city have created thousands of jobs, developed a robust local supply chain, and positioned South Africa as a leading vehicle manufacturer.
These investments continue in a challenging global economic environment, and are about technology transfer, upskilling our workforce, and empowering local component manufacturers. We call on more sectors to follow this blueprint, embedding our small, medium, and microenterprises into these value chains.
We must leverage Public-Private Partnerships to unlock the infrastructure needed to support this growth. Our discussions on innovative financing models will be critical to de-risking projects and accelerating development.
As a city, we are committed to ensuring SEZ growth translates into meaningful participation for local enterprises through skills development, supplier development, and inclusive procurement.
To our distinguished guests, I hope you will experience the dynamic energy of our city and explore the concrete investment opportunities we offer. Africa’s time has come, and South Africa is ready to lead.
Let this conference be a catalyst for action. Let our deliberations be robust, our solutions innovative, and our commitment to reigniting industrialisation unwavering.
I thank you for your presence and partnership. We are ready to do business.
I wish you a productive and successful conference.
I thank you.
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