The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) on Monday opened its R16-million Phase 1A Customs Control Gate Complex.

This was followed by a sodturning event for the zone’s Techno Hub.

These projects are aimed at boosting beneficiation, investment, economic growth and the development of skills and employment.

Speaking at the launch, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala said the opening signalled the readiness of the RBIDZ to attract even more investors to the zone, which would be a customs controlled area (CCA) with dedicated RBIDZ staff to provide support for access control and customs control requirements.

The Gate Complex, which was built by a local construction company, will provide office accommodation for the CCA officer, property officer, South African Revenue Services officials as and when required, and security control staff, while boasting a visitors reception desk and a small conference room for up to 12 people.

“This is a significant and well-timed achievement for the RBIDZ as the first exporting tenant in the IDZ is set to start operating in September,” said Zikalala.

He further highlighted that the Techno Hub concept provided a platform for creative innovation that would allow small, medium-sized and microenterprises as well as large businesses to develop together, “so that the individuals from within these entities will initiate opportunities for future development and expansion of their industries”.

Finance MEC Belinda Scott, who attended the sodturning of the Techno Hub, said it was encouraging to see tertiary education institutions, such as the uMfolozi Technical and Vocational Education and Training College and Mangosuthu University of Technology showing an interest in the project.

“They are keen partners in aligning their programmes with the Techno Park to focus on skills development and research into maritime and renewable-energy respectively.

“We look forward to their tenancy in the Richards Bay Techno Hub where they will spearhead leading research in information and communications [technology], renewable energy and marine engineering,” she added.

RBIDZ CEO Pumi Motsoahae said a key priority would be to establish effective infrastructure to drive Richards Bay’s development objectives to become KwaZulu-Natal’s prime investment hub.

“RBIDZ is committed to ensuring it plays its role in helping to achieve government’s objectives of creating employment opportunities and investments for our area, which will lead to poverty alleviation and skills enhancement,” said Motsoahae.

He was excited that Richards Bay was chosen to host one of the province’s four Techno Parks, which would support innovation and enterprise development.

The Techno Hub was expected to draw high-tech entrepreneurs, private businesses, academic institutions, researchers and investors interested in providing concepts through innovation to create platforms for commercialisation of technology and innovation-based businesses.

“Technology has proven to be a key role in modern economic development and innovation. Technology has also compelled a revolutionary shift in the way people work, play, interact and even think.

“The main aim of a Techno Hub is to promote research and development of innovation and act as an incubation facility wherein both theoretical and practical knowledge are explored,” said Motsoahae.