A 50-year Durban Aerotropolis Master Plan has been unveiled according to South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry. If all goes as planned, this project will put to place ground-breaking initiatives which will see massive development of the Durban Aerotropolis.

This is according to Ms Nomalungelo Gina, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, while she was delivering a keynote address at the Kwazulu Natal Investor Awards 2019

The minister said this will ensure the complete development of the Durban Aerotropolis turning the entire surface area around King Shaka International Airport into a smart city. This will aid in diversifying economic activities in the area thus boosting the Kwazulu Natal (KZN) economy.

The Durban Aerotropolis is the only greenfield Aerotropolis in whole of Africa. It provides a opportunities for investors in various sectors such as real estate, manufacturing and production, aviation and pharmaceuticals.

While addressing the audience, Deputy Minister Gina said, “Government perceives the 50-year Durban Aerotropolis Master Plan as not just a project for Durban and its future economic boom but for the entire province which will benefit through the economic spin-offs that will arise as a result of the hive of business activities in this Dube trade port precinct.”

According to her, there are vast positivities of aerotropolis around the world especially in the United States of America and Europe. She said there are a host of economic opportunities arising from building of cities around the big airports. She added that this demonstrates the urgency of South Africa to put this in place in the development of the countries economy.

She added that these economic enclaves surrounding huge airports precincts have in many ways unlocked faster goods exports through air transport, increased global connectivity, multi-modal transportation systems and any aviation related businesses.

Gina also said being the second largest economy in South Africa, KZN presents great opportunities for investors with an ideal location. KZN has two of Africa’s busiest ports located in Durban and Richards Bay with world-class road and rail infrastructure. The province is also a host to a vehicle manufacturer, Toyota.

Culled from businesstech.co.za