Coega set to benefit in jobs boost plan

THE government has announced a range of measures aimed at creating jobs, which could benefit the Eastern Cape’s sluggish economy.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said yesterday R10.2-billion would be spent in the next three years on supporting companies operating in the manufacturing sector and the call centre or business process outsourcing industry.

The Coega industrial development zone (IDZ) is home to these types of industries and will no doubt benefit from the massive manufacturing cash injection.

Nene said that under the manufacturing competitive enhancement programme, to be led by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, more than R5-billion would be used to provide financial support to 1 450 companies in a bid to upgrade their facilities and up-skill employees.

-Cindy Preller and Thabo Mokone