Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi is looking at other provinces to boost the provincial economy, which demands the executive to “rethink” traditional models of economic growth and development.
During his state of the province address on Thursday night, Lesufi said nothing prevents provinces working together to ensure mutual economic growth.
“We want to move beyond provincial boundaries and strengthen economic links with provinces through capital investment projects,” he said.
Lesufi said the proximity of Harrismith in KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng and Mpumalanga offers an e-commerce potential and is well-positioned to become a transport and logistics hub for the movement of goods across provincial borders.
He said they also want to take advantage of the link stemming from the proximity of Sasolburg to Gauteng.
“This presents an opportunity to create a new economic hub by building new roads and houses and the creation of a tourism hub, as well as taking advantage of the Vaal Dam and Vaal River.”
This will help the provincial government address the crises around the Vaal Dam with the municipality.
Lefusi believes there is an opportunity for additional interprovincial transport to link the province with Rustenburg in North West, and the development of new cities and towns to mutually benefit the economies of the two provinces.
“This will increase investment in this area and also ensure the area of Magaliesburg grows economically, using Rustenburg as an anchor. We will propel the development of the Lanseria Smart City and link it with the economy of the West Rand,” he said.
The provincial government is also strengthening work on international relations and operations and is expected to announce collaborations with, among others, the UAE, Finland and China.
This follows outbound trips undertaken in the sixth administration, Lesufi said.
To uphold the position of Gauteng as an economic hub, Lesufi promised to accelerate infrastructure investment with an investment of R120bn for the expansion of the Gautrain in less than two years.
“This expansion is expected to create more than 125,000 jobs during construction over five years. The bid to construct thee lines closes at the end of October this year.”
TimesLIVE
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