In the last six months the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) has received applications for investments worth R3,5 billion.
In total, these investments will support 800 jobs when approved, James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development, explained. He visited the ASEZ on Wednesday 25 November to look at the zone’s progress since its establishment as a company in April.
Vos said various applications for investments will go through a due diligence process, considered by the ASEZ Investment Committee and finally by the board and the roll-out of these projects is likely to transpire towards the end of the 2021-’22 financial year.
He said: “I am particularly impressed with the Water Treatment and Waste Management training currently underway where learners are being trained in specific skills for the green economy. This is critical in terms of a skilled future workforce as well as providing learners with career opportunities for the future.”
The mayoral committee member said in a water-scarce context, for instance, these technical skills will make learners sought-after in the job market, and these programmes form part of the ASEZ’s commitment to local skills development,
He said it ensures citizens are equipped with suitable skills for the workforce needs of investors.
Delegates also visited Kaytech Engineered Fabrics, which manufactures Geotextiles and geosynthetic solutions used by the civil engineering industry from locally sourced pre-and post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
“What impressed me the most from my visit today, was that where there is a will there is a way to attract significant investment that will create the jobs our economy needs to thrive,” Vos concluded, “and I look forward to the coming months when these projects get underway.”
