MPUMALANGA unveiled 12 new tourism and agricultural projects worth over R132-million on State land on Wednesday as part of a new drive to lure foreign investment to the province. Mpumalanga economic affair MEC Jacob Mabena unveiled the plans at a briefing, including transforming an old army base at the world famous Bourkes Luck Potholes near Pilgrim’s Rest into an international hiking mecca, with everything from backpackers’ chalets to an exclusive lodge. The projects are all designed as public private partnerships (PPP) and are based on extensive economic viability studies by both local and international experts. Speaking shortly after an investors’ conference in Dullstroom, Mabena said that the government has already received almost 70 expressions of interest from locally based businesses. Investors are expected to supply financial and technical backing for the projects while transitional local councils will supply their assets and possibly contribute to infrastructural aspects of the proposed developments. The major projects include a R10,9-million resort at Dullstroom Dam, and a R5,1-million revitalisation of the trout fishing town of Machadodorp.