SEZs had been developed to generate thriving, sustainable industrial business environments, said Sipho Zikode, the department’s deputy director-general of Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation.
“The Atlantis Green Technology SEZ holds great economic and development potential, not only for investors but also for the local community, the Western Cape Province and the nation as a whole,” said Zikode.
The meeting included Atlantis residents, community and business leaders, local development groups and Atlantis green technology investors.
Atlantis community leader Annie Petersen said: “The SEZ is very much needed in Atlantis, we have much to benefit. A programme like this can go a long way to uplifting the community. My hope is that our younger generations can benefit from the green economy as well.”
Mayor Patricia de Lille said: “ Our vision is for the City of Cape Town to be a green economy hub in Africa. We have a long-held vision of having green technology at the centre of Atlantis’s growth and development. If designated, the investments and jobs created will help contribute to what is already a thriving greentech sector in the City and the province.”
Five existing green technology investors have already created 312 jobs, with total investments of R680 million. The goal is to attract R1.8billion in investments by 2022, creating about 1200 direct jobs, according to the department.
Cape Argus RESOURCE: IOL NEWS / 12 OCTOBER 2017, 10:08AM / STAFF REPORTER
PHOTO: JOB-MAKER: The Hisense factory in Atlantis's Special Economic Zone for green technology. Picture: Jason Boud
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