Residents invited to have their say on Atlantis SEZ | Western Cape Government

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Residents invited to have their say on Atlantis SEZ

4 October 2017

Western Cape residents are invited to have their say on the designation of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism will host a public hearing session on the designation of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Green Technologies. The session will take place in Protea Park, Atlantis on Wednesday, 11 October 2017.

Last month, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies published his intention to designate the Atlantis SEZ, notifying the public and interested parties to submit comments within 30 days from 8 September 2017 to support or object to the designation.  The application for the designation of the Atlantis GreenTech SEZ was submitted by Alan Winde, Minister for Economic Opportunities.

According to Minister Davies the proposed Atlantis SEZ has already demonstrated its strong economic potential and attractiveness to investors as it has successfully managed to secure investors even before its designation. There are five investors in Atlantis that are already operational, totalling an investment of approximately R680m. There are additional investment commitments worth R1.8 billion that are already secured for the short to medium term.

Minister Davies said: “The development of the Atlantis GreenTech SEZ has a potential to attract more investors and also contribute significantly in changing the lives of members of the communities of Atlantis and the neighbouring areas for the better by creating employment opportunities. The public hearing session will afford community members and other interested parties an opportunity to express their views on the designation of the SEZ and what they think its impact will be.”

Minister Winde said Minister Davies’ intention to designate the SEZ was an important milestone in the development of the SEZ in Atlantis.

“We know the SEZ will deliver an economic boost to Atlantis in particular, and the Western Cape in general. We know that South Africa is the world’s fastest growing green economy, and in partnership with GreenCape we are establishing the province as the hub of this growth. The SEZ is an excellent example of the power of partnerships between all spheres of government. The declaration of Atlantis as an SEZ is a declaration to the people of Atlantis and surrounding areas that government is serious about economic growth, social development, and job creation in the area,” says Minister Winde.

Minister Winde encouraged residents and stakeholders to support Atlantis SEZ designation in order boost investment and job creation in the area.

“I call on all residents in Atlantis and across Cape Town to support the designation and submit their comments to the Department of Trade and Industry so that we can continue making progress possible and create even more jobs for our people.”

Members of the media are invited to register for a media briefing at 9.15am, ahead public consultation meeting starting at 10 a.m. To register for the media briefing, contact Nick Fordyce at GreenCape, on 021 811 0250 or email nick@greencape.co.za.

Media Enquiries: 

Department of Trade and Industry:

Sidwell Medupe

Departmental Spokesperson (the dti)

Tel: (012) 394 1650

Mobile: 079 492 1774

E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za

Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

 

Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism:

Fernel Abrahams

Deputy Director: Energy

Tel: (021) 483 2006

Mobile: 073 143 9395

Email: Fernel.Abrahams@westerncape.gov.za

 

Media queries for Minister Winde:

Bronwynne Jooste

Spokesperson: Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities

Responsible for Tourism, Economic Development and Agriculture

Western Cape Government

Tel: 021 483 3550

Cell: 060 970 4301

Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za