On Tuesday, 7 October, President Jacob Zuma will hand over the operator permit for the Dube Trade Port Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) at the King Shaka airport precinct in Durban, to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu.

This follows what the President said in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in June 2014, that the economy would take centre stage during this administration, announcing a target of five percent growth by 2019.

Last year, the President launched the Saldanha IDZ in the Western Cape.

According to the presedency, “The IDZs are intended to promote industrialisation and create awareness about the Special Economic Zones programme and its potential to grow the economy.”

“IDZs are also aimed at creating jobs through establishing a conducive environment for foreign direct investment,” the Presidency said.

It said Saldanha IDZ, though new and not fully developed, has already attracted the interest of 19 potential investors who are keen to locate there, thus demonstrating the potential of the IDZs.