Project: Marketing of South African Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s)
Issue
The South African Government has recently joined the consensus that Industrial Development Zones (IDZ’s) have not delivered for the country.
Investment levels have been relatively low, the number of permanent jobs created has been small, and many of the businesses that located in the zones simply moved there from elsewhere.<br><br>
If South Africa is to use SEZs to transform the country’s economic prospects, it will have to approach their development quite differently from the previous IDZ strategy. Successful SEZs must offer an investment proposition that is globally competitive. If South Africa is to deliver on the promise of SEZs, the country’s new approach will need to embrace some key lessons from international experience.
Outcome
Gareth John Consulting Ltd was asked by the DTI/TISA in South Africa to come on board to help develop the marketing strategy and the FDI delivery model for the priority Special Economic Zones (SEZ) programme that was signed into force in June 2014. This work is now underway and ongoing.
