By Industrial parks in the Free State province have registered impressive progress to date by employing more than eleven thousand people in their respective communities.
The Free State provincial government embarked on an aggressive journey to revitalise Industrial Parks in Botshabelo, Phithaditjhaba and Thaba Nchu, the return on investment is begging to show with the economic activity taking place in the parks and creating the much needed jobs.
The revitalisation of the parks has proved beneficial for entrepreneurs as it allowed them access to the factories. According to the Premier of the Free State MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, 11 159 people are employed in these Industrial Parks.
“Phase 2 of the Rui Star Smelter with an additional investment value of two hundred million rands in the Thaba Nchu Industrial Park has commenced. To demonstrate our commitment to increase investment in the province, we are refurbishing factories across our Industrial Parks,” said Letsoha-Mathae.
Letsoha-Mathae said the province needs to ride the fourth industrial revolution as it presents an opportunity for manufacturing that can ignite innovation to stimulate inclusive economic growth.
“Besides the petro-chemicals, we will drive investment in sub-sectors such as textiles, food, beverages, chemicals, automotive, and metals through improved access to markets, skills development, and finance.
We will strengthen our existing partnerships with institutions of higher learning to enhance research, development and innovation,” said the Premier.
In pursuing the course of investing in Industrial Parks, MaQueen invited the Department of Labour to conduct inspections across all the Industrial Parks in the Free State to ensure compliance with employment standards and humane working conditions.
“And every year, more resources will be allocated for this purpose. Working with SETAs, we will make funds available for women entrepreneurs and their cooperatives to participate in our Industrial Parks,” committed Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae.
