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In efforts to attract investments, fostering technological learning, innovation, and job creation, MEC Ketso Makume will launch the Textiles Manufacturing Cluster on Thursday, 20 March 2025, at Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.
Industrial clusters are groups of industries, such as cement, steel and chemicals, textiles, and automotive, which are physically in the same location. The shared operating space allows tenants or cluster participants to share ICT infrastructure, water, energy, marketing space, and other services.
The rental fees are lower, thereby reducing the cost of doing business for these budding manufacturers.This noble initiative seeks to generate comparative and competitive advantages to attract innovative businesses, leading to job creation and improving the economy of the Free State.
The Free State Growth and Development Strategy (FSGDS) posits that the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the provincial economy would have to increase from 14 % in 2014 to 28% in 2030 with the contribution of the non-petrochemical sub sector towards the manufacturing sector increasing from 25 % in 2014 to 50% in 2030.
The textiles manufacturing sector plays a very critical role in driving economic growth due to its labour absorbing character and has always been supported by the Department with an objective to build a sustainable and transformed economy which is able to create employment.
