Dube TradePort granted industrial development zone status

President Jacob Zuma will officially launch the special economic zone. The Dube TradePort was officially opened in 2012 and included development areas, Dube AgriZone and Dube City.

It's named under African National Congress founding President John Langalibalele Dube. The development, near King Shaka International Airport, was designed to deliver a unique airport city, north of Durban, stretching from Umhlanga to Ballito.

Located between the two largest seaports in the southern hemisphere Durban and Richards Bay the Dube TradePort has in the last two years managed to boost economic growth and job creation in the province and the country.

Officials say turning the area into a special economic zone will boost its capacity as a major logistics platform for Southern Africa, as the Port of Durban provides connectivity to 53 international destinations and access to local distribution networks.

The development also forms an important part of government's pipeline of major infrastructure. Essential services and facilities, such as streets, bridges, transport routes, utility generation and delivery, etc. development projects. One of them is the improvement of the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.

In the State of the Nation Address in June, President Zuma emphasised that the economy would take centre stage during this administration, announcing a target of five percent growth by 2019.

The official launch event is seen as step further to promote industrialisation and create awareness about the special economic zones programme and its potential to grow the economy and create jobs through creating a conducive environment for foreign direct investmentThe purchase or exchange of any asset or right to an asset by an investor with the aim of making a profit. For example, an investor ‘purchases’ a fixed deposit at a bank with the intent of earning interest thereon and so making a profit.

South African Airways low-cost subsidiary SA Express concluded an agreement with the Dube TradePort Corporation, which led to a connection being established between King Shaka International and the region, especially to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.

There were also plans for SA Express to expand into countries such as Namibia, Malawi, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Passenger traffic at the King Shaka International Airport is said to be steadily growing since its move from the old Durban International Airport.