Sandton: The government’s commitment to collaborative policy-making and inclusive growth will be highlighted at a Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) policy dialogue. The dialogue, an extended Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs) Forum, will be held to facilitate discussion on the draft Spatial Industrial Development Strategy (SIDS).
According to South African Government News Agency, the purpose of the session is to provide key stakeholders, including business leaders, policymakers, and development partners, an opportunity to interrogate and contribute to the shaping of the strategy before it is finalized. Thursday’s session will take place at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in Sandton and will be addressed by Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi.
The draft SIDS is a critical instrument in the dtic’s efforts to drive balanced industrial development, support regional economies, and strengthen the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country. Deputy Minister Godlimpi emphasized that the CEOs Forum is a strategic platform to ensure the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy is responsive, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of business and communities nationwide. The framework aims to reflect the voice of the industry and address regional economic disparities through practical interventions.
The draft SIDS seeks to unlock growth by promoting geographically targeted industrial activity, enhancing infrastructure coordination, and improving the governance and management of SEZs and industrial parks. It will also aim to align the work of all spheres of government and institutions responsible for regional economic development.
Special Economic Zones remain one of the dtic’s flagship programs to catalyze investment, create jobs, and strengthen export competitiveness. As the strategy is refined, it is essential to position SEZs not just as isolated economic pockets but as integrated drivers of regional and national transformation, stated Godlimpi.
The dtic expects the dialogue to yield valuable insights and practical recommendations that will enhance the impact and implementation of the strategy. The final strategy will serve as a roadmap for more coherent and spatially just industrial development across South Africa.