KZN set to grow manufacturing sector

WITH manufacturing generating 20% of the province’s employment opportunities and contributing 25% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, says there is a commitment to grow the sector to create more much-needed jobs.

That was the undertaking Dube-Ncube gave during her visit to Bell Equipment in Richards Bay last week.

‘My visit to Bell is an example of our commitment to working with big business to grow our economy,’ she said.

She applauded the company and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which gives small contractors access to big machinery.

‘We support this MOU because we want small players to participate more meaningfully in major construction projects,’ Dube-Ncube said.

The MEC said the companies have acknowledged that access to sophisticated equipment used in construction was one of the biggest hurdles facing emerging companies.

‘Such small players often do not have the capital to buy the machinery used for excavations, ground moving and the grading of roads.

‘Each year, this MoU will create an environment that attracts new entrants, especially black contractors who will create much-needed jobs for thousands of people.

‘In this regard, we are using our black industrialists’ programme to support emerging entrepreneurs,’ the MEC said.

She added that this will help to promote fair competition in the construction and engineering sectors.

Bell Equipment’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Leon Goosen, said there is a need for support and closer co-operation between the sector and government to realise the full benefits of ‘buy local’ and explore opportunities to further funding solutions for contractors who are awarded contracts.

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