The president disclosed a development U-turn but the Special Economic Zones and China’s carbon intensive interests are likely to prevail

Industrial parks, residential areas, malls and expansion of existing facilities on the cards

‘Aren’t the strategies the government has implemented without first fixing the basics just a waste of money?’

South Africa should establish economic enclaves that are free from normal rules, similar to what Hong Kong is doing for China.

South Africans will have to wait for a while until they see how the department of trade and industry implements the industrial policy.

Poor departmental planning could explain why the widely touted special economic zones aren’t properly funded or up and running.

SEZ offer little detail and don’t clarify government’s policy, say critics.

The draft Special Economic Zones Bill, which aims to improve the concept of industrial development zones, has been opened for public comment.