The first licensed IDZ in South Africa tells of how it will attract further investors into the zone.

With its value proposition for the automotive industry successfully completed, the East London IDZ is now starting to work on diversification into other sectors, says CEO Simphiwe Kondlo

The success of the Automotive Supplier Park in attracting investors that export directly or indirectly, through the Original Equipment Manufacturers, has enabled the East London IDZ to contribute to the economy of Buffalo City. Driven by this success, the company now intends to venture into other sectors like mariculture, biofuels and the energy sector.

"The East London IDZ has received a number of enquiries for the mariculture industry and currently has several interested investors in the pipeline. Studies attest to the East London IDZ rating among the best locations in South Africa in terms of quality of water, and various other conditions required for this sector to thrive," said Kondlo

In an effort to ensure that the company keeps up with the global plans of using green fuels to reduce damage to the environment, Kondlo said the East London IDZ has also refined its value proposition for the biofuels industry.

"Currently, the zone has a very positive enquiry in its pipeline and is working together with key stakeholders to ensure that this potential investor's expectations are met," said Kondlo

It is expected that a biofuels refinery in the IDZ will be built at a cost of around R2.5 billion and use some R2.4 billion worth of canola, grown by local farmers; with about 70 per cent of the biodiesel produced expected to be exported to Europe

Another area the East London IDZ would be focusing on in the near future was to turn the current energy crisis into a positive for the company as it continues in its quest to attract more investors.

"The East London IDZ also dealt with a number of enquiries and is following promising leads in the alternative energy sub-sector, especially following the electricity crisis," added Kondlo

Turning his attention to other developments Kondlo said the company was working hard to replicate the success of its ASP for other clusters and industries.

 "We are currently looking at putting in concrete facilities that will be a draw card for the mariculture and agro-processing, and these are almost along the same lines as the ASP. This is something the East London IDZ can achieve in the coming year," concluded Kondlo