THE EAST LONDON Industrial Development Zone’s first duty-free zone will be operational by August 2004, according to the zone’s chief executive officer, Peter Miles. Speaking at an international investor’s conference in East London, Miles said this would make the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) on the west bank of the harbour the first operational IDZ in South Africa. Two investors had already been confirmed for the zone, with another three ready to sign “in the next few weeks”. The conference attracted interest from around the world and was several times over-subscribed, according to Miles. The duty-free area, which will cover 250 hectares, is about four kilometres from the present harbour. A multi-lane road will link the zone with the harbour. Land bordering on the port is available, but Miles said it was not economical to develop this area at the present stage. “However, if we get a really big investor that makes it worth our while, we are willing to talk,” he says.