28 Feb 2021

 Selebi Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) full council meeting ended on Friday, with councillors approving the proposed Selebi Phikwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) site.

The 1 220 hectare land starts at the intersection of the Phikwe railway spur and B150 road reserves and runs South Easterly along the B150 road reserve until it intersects with the BCL Mining Lease Area boundary.

Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA)’s policy and planning director, Mr Jayson Sechele thanked the councillors for the approval, which he said would go a long way in changing the economic landscape of Special Economic Zone .

He informed SPTC full council meeting that special economic zones were aimed at enhancing foreign direct investment inflow, exports volumes, employment opportunities, productivity, Gross Domestic Product and competitiveness.

The special economic zones also offer investors a comprehensive and simple environment to do business free of bureaucracy and red tape.

Mr Sechele stated that some of the proposed incentive packages for investors included a five per cent reduced corporate tax for the first 10 years and 10 per cent thereafter, zero rated VAT on raw materials for use in manufacturing, fast-tracked land allocation and favourable transfer duty of land and property.

The site specific designation of the SEZs, he said, was informed by, among others, easy access along major transport corridors, connectivity to neighbouring towns, proximity to an airport and connectivity to water and sewer supply systems.

Selebi Phikwe SEZ was identified as a base metal beneficiation-themed city focused on mining and beneficiation of base metals and all associated technologies and logistics.

Mr Sechele stated that general manufacturing would also be allowed within the zone.

SEZA is also yet to consult Bobirwa Sub-district Council, Ngwato Land board as well as Central District Council.

Mr Sechele said master planning was expected to follow, commencing this month in order to guide the future development of Selebi Phikwe Special Economic Zone and once completed, would be approved by Selebi Phikwe Town Counci.

For their part, the councillors called for the fast-tracking of Selebi Phikwe Special Economic Zone to resuscitate the local economy and create job opportunities for the people of the copper mining town.

They stated that Selebi Phikwe was gradually recovering from the effects of the BCL mine closure, but had now suffered a setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Councillors further stated that some companies that had opened in Selebi Phikwe had shut down due to financial constraints as a result of COVID-19 and because of that, many lost their jobs.

They suggested that timelines be set to enable the project to be delivered timeously.

Councillors were also of the idea that Selebi Phikwe be declared an education hub because schools in the area performed well every year. ends