Airport City SEZ catalyst for economic growth
03 Oct 2024
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has launched the P198 million project for the construction of investor-ready warehouses to accommodate early Airport City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) investors.
The integrated office warehouse space spanning over an area of 4 000sqm will be constructed by local contractors. It is also anticipated to generate over 700 employment opportunities.
“The intention is to propel and diversify the economy through an export-led strategy,” President Masisi explained during the launch in Gaborone yesterday.
He further noted that the Airport City located at the Special Economic Zone adjacent to the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport would be a mixed use with core economic activities like diamond beneficiation, aerospace and aviation works, cargo handling and storage, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, specialist automotive and plastic injection moulding.
He said investment into the development of the SEZs had started generating Return on Investment (ROI), citing that currently the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) was in discussion with some mega investors operating in the SEZ-regulated industries.
“The anticipated investors will inject over P2 billion and create over 1 000 direct jobs,” Dr Masisi said.
He said the Airport City SEZ was home to a number of Botswana’s premier corporate and parastatal institutions, among them, Bank of Botswana, Botswana Innovation Hub, Debswana Diamond Company, De Beers, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Botswana Bureau of Standards and a significant number of diamond cutting and polishing companies.
Other property developments will include office spaces, industrial parks, high-end residential areas, retail malls, schools and hospitals.
The President said there was no doubt that the Airport City SEZ would change the look and feel of Gaborone.
“This presents an opportunity for local companies to register as SEZ investors and set up retail, healthcare, arts, fitness, childcare, storage and entertainment facilities to complement the lifestyle within the Airport City SEZ,” Dr Masisi added.
He urged capable Batswana to exploit the immense opportunities offered by SEZs, citing that they must actively participate in Botswana’s fast changing economic landscape in order to secure the future of the country.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said the Airport City SEZ was adjacent to Botswana’s largest airport and covered an area of over 800 hectares.
He said government would spend about P112 million in phase one of the development. Projects under phase one include 1.8km six lane dual carriageway, storm water drainage, primary water and sewer networks, electrical power reticulation, street lighting, pedestrian and cyclist pathways as well as telecommunications networks.
The minister said the project also covered urban design schemes, engineering designs and environmental management plan for the first 100 hectares of the Airport City SEZ.
Minister Kgafela said phase two of the Airport City SEZ development which started in August 2023, would include an additional 16km road network, a second sewer lift station, relocation of services along airport road, provision of potable water, bringing infrastructure close to the plots such as internet connection, sewer lines amongst others.
“This project will cost about P580 million and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2025,” he said. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Marvin Motlhabane
Location : Gaborone
Event : Launch
Date : 03 Oct 2024