Driving Investment
Durban Investment  Promotion commonly known for years as DIPA is part of the eThekwini Municipality and was recommended by the Durban City Council and organised private business as the appropriate vehicle to stimulate economic growth and new investment into Durban.  The team’s main purpose is to, “Facilitate sustainable investment in Durban for the benefit of ALL”.
Russell Curtis, who heads up Durban Investment Promotion, said that there are good opportunities in the Durban region and we need to capitalize on the advantages present.  Curtis stressed that the municipal and provincial government has put much focus on promoting economic growth through building infrastructure and institutional frameworks.  He said, “There is however still much more to be done.” He emphasized the need for projects in KwaZulu-Natal to be implemented in partnerships with both multinational companies and local business in order to participate in the global value chains.
The strength of partners in getting things done is apparent in the Samsung Electronics South Africa investment, which has resulted in the opening of an electronics  manufacturing plant in the Dube TradePort precinct.
“Samsung remains the leading consumer electronics brand in South Africa and we are determined to add value to the South African community in which we operate,” says Matthew Thackrah, Deputy Managing Director of Samsung Electronics SA. “The establishment of the new plant is another step in our goal to create new business opportunities, products and technology.  Samsung South Africa is continuously exploring opportunities which will benefit the country” says Thackrah. He added, “Durban is aligned with these goals and this is an exciting step forward for the company.”
With a Phase 1 20 million USD (R222m) until 2018, the plan demonstrates the company’s effort to meet customer demand in South Africa. The manufacturing facility will provide hundreds of job opportunities and encourage the development of skilled and unskilled labour in the region. The plant will manufacture initially for the domestic market and then will begin exporting to the rest of Africa.

This project is the result of close collaboration between Samsung and the South African authorities - at National and Provincial level -plus key business colleagues. Provincial MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mike Mabuyakhulu has been a key driver of the partnership  investment process.
Dube TradePort’s redesignation as an Industrial Development  Zone and soon as a Special Economic Zone has also played a large role in facilitating this investment. CEO of the Dube TradePort, Saxen van Coller said, “The declaration of the Dube TradePort as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) positions the region as a one-stop shop for investors and facilitates a clustering effect for manufacturers as well as provides ease of access to global markets.  The Dube TradePort has positioned itself as a location for light manufacturing and agri-processing and there are significant opportunities for investors to establish a base there.
Curtis said, “We are taking investment far more seriously than we have in the last decade.” Durban Investment Promotion cooperates closely with a range of national and provincial investment promotion bodies as well as the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other key organisations, like the  KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition, to promote investment in the city. Other major projects, currently being facilitated  in Durban include:

• The Durban Point Waterfront Precinct
• National Ports Authority new Durban dig-out Port and current Port expansions
• Hammarsdale and  Cato Ridge corridor developments
• Large new industrial parks, with integrated commercial, residential and retail opportunities  such as Cornubia, Kings Estate, Keystone and Finningley amongst others
• Multiple transport authority projects including road, rail and bus system  expansions
• Dube TradePort â€"broader Aerotropolis project
• Accelerated Durban CBD renewal investments
• Townships: secondary CBD upgrades
• Multiple industrial cluster private public partnerships

Curtis concluded, “It is therefore apparent that Durban’s horizons are becoming brighter, clearer and filled with more opportunities.”
 
 
 http://www.durban.gov.za