Events Round-upHighlighting Business Opportunities: This International Convention and Property Exhibition provided the opportunity to conduct property networking activities and offered prospects for engaging with industry leaders. The event was used to showcase the significant achievements Dube TradePort Corporation has achieved in securing substantial levels of private sector investment in the almost fully-subscribed phase one development of Dube TradeZone. Phase two becomes available for development in 2015. In addition, the organisation focused on portraying available development opportunities in Dube City, where long-term leases are on offer to developers interested in commercial, office, hotel and retail investment. Negotiations are at an advanced stage regarding prospective Dube City deals on blocks D, H and I, involving a hotel development and two office blocks. A feasibility study is being undertaken with regard to block F, incorporating a further office block. Primary selling points, in terms of Dube City property development, include convenience and accessibility, especially with existing links from the N2, the recently upgraded R102 and the M4, as well as critical logistics and passenger connectivity. Aerotropolis:KZN Taking Shape: Aerotropolis:KZN is a unique public-private partnership and involves Tongaat Hulett, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban Investment Promotion Agency. The Provincial Government has made the development of Aerotropolis:KZN a priority, in line with its strategy to develop the local economy. The initiative, driven by Dube TradePort Corporation, is Africa’s first custom-planned aerotropolis and is being developed around King Shaka International Airport. The joint project is a demonstration of the impact of the public and private sectors working together to spur investment. The aerotropolis is already beginning to take shape, currently comprising private sector investment in Dube TradeZone, totaling some R560 million, designed to bring on-stream light manufacturing, assembly and warehousing. A major draw-card for investment here is the close proximity of one the world’s most advanced automated air cargo terminals and nearby technologically-advanced agricultural platform, Dube AgriZone, where cut flowers and a range of produce is grown under glass for domestic and international markets. A further step in the development of the Aerotropolis:KZN was the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Dube TradePort Corporation and India-based conglomerate, Action Group, for the development of a 240 hectare Mega Industrial Integrated Township adjacent the existing Dube TradePort precinct. This could result in an injection of up to R20 billion in foreign direct investments. Three aspects already set Aerotropolis:KZN apart from existing South African airports, which are being retro-fitted, rather than custom-built as integrated airport cities. These include being:
The intention is that Greater Durban consolidate its position as a major trade and business hub in sub-Saharan Africa. Dube AgriZone Gets Right Royal Showing In Pietermaritzburg: The organisation featured the vegetable produce and flowers grown in its sophisticated greenhouse complex, the dedicated packhouses, fresh produce value adding distribution centre and tissue culture laboratory, Dube AgriLab, whose primary role is contract plant propagation, using tissue culture and the onward supply of starter plants to growers and farmers. Dube AgriLab In Full Swing: Introducing Farmwise: The centre, geared to supplying perishables for both local and export markets, was designed to meet Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, or HACCP, standards and is a systematic preventative approach to food safety and allergenic, chemical, and biological hazards in production processes which may cause finished products to be unsafe. This is in line with the organisation's objective of using Dube AgriZone as a centre of excellence in agricultural production, processing and distribution. Farmwise has a diverse customer base, inclusive of Woolworths and Freshmark (Shoprite & Checkers) and specialises in gem squashes, peppers, pineapples, bananas, butternuts, potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as prepared pre-cut produce.
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