Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola will on Friday join the official welcoming of business tenants who will be manufacturing from the Jewellery Manufacturing Park (JMP) located at the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone in Ekurhuleni.

The event takes place on Friday and will highlight government’s efforts to promote economic development, job creation and growth through the utilisation of the SEZ Programme.

The Mineral Beneficiation Strategy is the driving force behind the JMP’s conception. The strategy aims to bolster the manufacturing of minerals extracted in South Africa into finished products for global consumption. South Africa remains a crucial source of raw minerals for the global market.

Majola said the JMP seeks to contribute to the resuscitation of the jewellery and diamond industry, which has declined since the early 2000s.

‘The JMP is home to multiple industry role players. These include regulatory agencies such as the State Diamond Trader and the South African Diamond and
Precious Metals Regulator.

‘The regulator was established to facilitate South African manufacturers’ access to diamonds for beneficiation, and review and approve all necessary licences to beneficiate or trade minerals in South Africa,’ he said.

In addition to these two essential national agencies, the zone is home to companies that specialise in moving high-value items made in the precinct to air-side freight. The JMP also has a business development hub, which ensures that persons trained in the industry have access to the essential skills.

Once the zone is fully constructed, 21 investors will be able to operate from it. The zone has been running since 2021, with seven tenants having first moved in.

In addition, fourteen more enterprises have completed their fit-outs or are getting ready to begin operations in April 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency