PUBLIC ENTERPRISE Minister Jeff Radebe has committed a portion of Transnet's budget for the next 10 years to upgrade rail links between the Eastern Cape and Gauteng to ensure the success of projects like the East London Industrial Development Zone and Coega. Speaking during a visit to the province, he said over R45billion had been set aside by Transnet for its infrastructural role in ports and railway upgrades to support development initiatives. Some R3.5-billion will be spent in the province over the next three years. Business in the province welcomed the announcement as the slow pace in the upgrading of the line between East London and Gauteng has been seen as a hurdle in the way of greater utilisation of the port's world class car import-export terminal. East London Industrial Development Zone chief executive Peter Miles welcomed Radebe's commitment to upgrade the railway line. He said that while companies like BMW, Nissan and Ford had expressed interest in using the car-terminal in East London, they were concerned about the rail line. Radebe said for the city's port to achieve the status of being the auto-handling hub of southern Africa, significant decisions needed to be made by Spoornet and Transnet on the upgrading of the line to Gauteng and continuing the improvements on the road link from Port Elizabeth. He said developments in the extension of the harbour were important for implementing the East London IDZ. “The high standards that are expected from participants of the IDZ add significant and necessary gravitas to the development agenda".