Dube TradePort – A world-class industrial and commercial precinct

SPONSORED

Created to be a world-class development, Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone offers globally integrated logistics and manufacturing infrastructure, together with support for a range of airport-related activities including cargo operations, warehousing, agriculture and commercial real estate for office, retail and hospitality.

Dube TradePort, Southern Africa’s global manufacturing and air logistics platform, is specifically geared to provide enterprises involved in manufacturing and export with a highly competitive business operations environment.

Dube TradePort Corporation, a public entity of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, is tasked with the development of the precinct.

The benefits associated with operating within this Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are designed to promote business growth, revenue generation, employment creation, the export of value-added commodities and the attraction of both foreign and local investment — all of which enhance South Africa’s manufacturing and export capabilities.

Crucially, Dube TradePort SEZ’s hugely efficient infrastructure, seamless support services provision and available incentives afford businesses located here a significant competitive edge. Strategically positioned at the intersection of local and global intermodal transport routes, the SEZ is seamlessly integrated with intermodal road, rail and port infrastructure, providing manufacturers and exporters with exceptional supply chain efficiencies and market access.

Business zones

The precinct, a greenfield development covering more than 3 800 hectares (38-million square metres) 30km north of Durban, comprises a 50-year, master-planned airfreight and passenger hub, and comprises four business zones and a telecommunications platform, Dube iConnect:

• Dube TradeZone is an industrial area for electronics, pharmaceutical and aerospace manufacturing (designated SEZ);
• Dube Cargo Terminal is a state-of-the-art air cargo handling facility;
• Dube AgriZone is an advanced agricultural precinct (designated SEZ);
• Dube City is a business and hospitality precinct;

      and

• Dube iConnect is a cutting-edge telecommunications platform and premier cloud service provider.

Special Economic Zones

Special Economic Zone status was conferred in December 2016, adding impetus to investor interest in the fast-growing industrial node. Presently, two zones are designated as SEZs, namely Dube TradeZone and Dube AgriZone, and there are plans to extend this to further zones and phases going forward.

Becoming a Special Economic Zone has given effect to a greatly enhanced industrial development agenda, radically augmenting Dube TradePort Corporation’s ability to attract both domestic and foreign direct investment capable of promoting strong local production capabilities within targeted focus sectors. These include aerospace and aviation-linked manufacturing and related services, agriculture and agro-processing, including horticulture, aquaculture and floriculture, electronics manufacturing and assembly, medical and pharmaceutical production and distribution, clothing and textiles and automotive component manufacturing.

Further enhancing the ease of doing business in Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, an on-site one-stop-shop facility provides a single point of contact for businesses, acting as an interface with various government agencies and departments. Offerings at the one-stop-shop include assistance with registrations, licensing and visa services, as well as investor after-care services.

Incentives

Incentive benefits available to investors include:

• Reduced Corporate Income Tax – section 12R: 15% corporate income tax for qualifying companies;
• Building Allowance (12S): Accelerated depreciation allowance on capital structures (buildings, 10% per annum over 10 years). The special rate of capital (depreciation) allowances in lieu of normal allowances will be available for erecting or improving buildings and other fixed structures;
• Employment Tax Incentives (ETI): Available to any business located within a SEZ, with employees earning less than R60 000 per annum;
• Customs Controlled Area: VAT and customs relief. Import duty rebate and VAT exemption on imports, with the aim of exporting the finished products;
• 12I Tax Allowance: For greenfield and brownfield (new and established) industrial projects. This incentive supports capital investment and training;
• High-end infrastructure: Funded through the provincial government and SEZ Fund; and
• The Black Industrialist Programme: Offered by the KwaZulu-Natal department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs and the department of trade and industry.

For more information about Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, please email: [email protected]