Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) AGM reveals positive growth
Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) CEO Ms Kaashifah Beukes presented the company’s annual report at the annual general meeting on 17 November 2021.
Due to delays and deferments of investments caused by the pandemic, the SBIDZ adjusted its annual targets downwards by 40% midway in the year, setting new targets of R1,02 billion GDP, R833 million GGP and 1,788 jobs in South Africa for the period under review. On the final tally, the SBIDZ contributed R1,11 billion to South Africa’s GDP, R893m to the Western Cape GGP and sustained 1,644 jobs throughout the Western Cape and 1,960 jobs throughout South Africa; thus exceeding its adjusted targets by 9% for the year under review.
Beukes said, “We achieved this through the diligent, proactive work we undertook to re-open the zone as soon as allowed, putting constructive measures in places like a COVID -19 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Advisor for our tenants and contractors. We also strengthened our customer management with our investment pipeline and key role players such as the Saldanha Bay Municipality, Provincial Treasury, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), the Department of the Premier, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
Thembisile Salman, Chairperson of the SBIDZ Board, confirmed that the company had the building blocks required to take it forward. He reiterated his thanks to the continued support from its shareholder, the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the national Department of Trade, Industry and Competition within the SEZ Programme and the local authority Saldanha Bay Municipality.
The SBIDZ complete Media Release can be read here.