Provision of Technical Expertise and Capacity Building Support to the Dept of Trade and Industry (DTi) to Enable the DTi to Contribute to the Successful Establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s) in South Africa

Project:	Provision of Technical Expertise and Capacity Building Support to the Dept of Trade and Industry (DTi) to Enable the DTi to Contribute to the Successful Establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s) in South Africa
Completion Date:	2013
Client:	South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTi)
Services Provided:	Provision of advice and guidance to DTi; Evaluating performance of IDZs; Assessing South Africa as a location for FDI; Research; Preparation of position papers and Preparing reports.

Project Description

The purpose of the project is (i) To provide advice, direction, and strategic input in relation to the development, rollout, implementation, and performance monitoring of an enhanced SEZ strategy and (ii) Develop the technical expertise and capacity of the responsible unit within the DTi including the identification of training requirements and suitable interventions, to enable the unit to develop a successful SEZ programme and interface effectively with all stakeholders. During the Inception phase the emphasis is on evaluation and assessment – of the track record of existing Industrial Development Zones (IDZs), of South Africa as a location for foreign direct investment, of the policy development capability within the DTi.

In the second phase the emphasis is on development of:

• A SEZ development strategy, of an organisational structure to implement the strategy;
• Board and operational guidelines;
• New marketing structures;
• An incentive package compatible with WTO obligations;
• Key Performance Indicators;
• Funding requirements;
• Training requirements;
• Agreement on stakeholder co-ordination.