DRC GOVERNMENT PRIORITISE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEZs IN THE COUNTRY

DRC GOVERNMENT PRIORITISE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEZs IN THE COUNTRY

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is prioritizing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. This was said by the coordinator of the Maluku SEZ, Mr Auguy Bolanda. Bolanda was speaking during the site visit to the SEZ by the South African business delegation.

According to him, the DRC is a vast country of many potentials and it is a rapidly expanding its market. He said five SEZs were being prioritized for establishment and these will be governed by the laws that are in the process of being adopted in Parliament.

“Regulating the SEZs will provide a favorable business environment for national and international investors. The Maluku SEZ was established in 2012 and spread over 244 hectors of land,” said Bolanda.

He added that the SEZ had the potential to house many sectors because it was in proximity of a market of approximately 10 million people. He also said that the SEZ was situated on the Congo river which allows access to vast interior of the country and has potential for the development into an agri-business hub for central Africa.

Bolanda urged South African companies who are interested in investing in the Maluku SEZ to forward their proposals to the Ministry of Industry for consideration.

According to him, the current sub-station also situated in the SEZ is operating with only one transformer instead of three, which makes the output to be insufficient for its optimal operation. He said this also presented a number of opportunities for South African businesses in the energy sector, especially those who are in the transmission business.

The delegation also visited a water purification plant which provides water to 3000 households and produces 400-500 million litres daily.

The Managing Director of Deltron Consulting (Pty) Ltd, Mr Muzi Mkhize said the plant presented a lot of opportunities for South African businesses as it is in an urgent need for expansion.

“The plant was initially designed for a thousand households, now the community has increased to almost five thousand households and as such there is a challenge on keeping up with the current demand, to an extent that they have been forced to supply water at scheduled intervals between the various locations,” he said.

Mkhize highlighted that the need for expansion presented a huge opportunity in order for the plant to meet up with the current demand and catering for the future as well.

“With that comes a lot opportunities for professional services. These include initial designs of a modern water treatment plant with latest quick technology based on the current number of consumers, due to the fact that the current plant has aged. The plant also requires design reviews and approval by local engineering authorities in line with local standards,”

Mkhize said his company which renders engineering, procurement, project management and construction management services, was ready and geared up to invest their services and to also look at possible partnerships with relevant local companies in executing the project.