The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, together with the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Rev. Musa Zondi, officially opened the exhibition floor of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference this afternoon.

The two-day gathering, hosted at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, is held under the theme “Reigniting Industrialisation through World-class Special Economic Zones.” The conference aims to shine a spotlight on South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Programme which is a key industrial policy instrument designed to drive economic growth, attract both foreign and domestic direct investment, accelerate industrialisation and create jobs.

Amongst the exhibitors are EDTEA's public entities, including the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, Dube TradePort, Trade and Investment KZN, as well as the Ithala Development Finance Corporation.

KwaZulu-Natal celebrated a night of excellence as two of its flagship Special Economic Zones (SEZs) emerged among the country’s top performers at the prestigious 2026 Special Economic Zones Awards, held at the Durban International Convention Centre this evening. The province’s success was undeniable, with the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) securing the coveted Investment of the Year Award for 2026, while the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone was recognised as the national leader in Investment Facilitation for 2026. These accolades reaffirm KwaZulu-Natal’s position as a premier destination for investment and economic opportunity.

Delivering an address on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr. Thamsanqa Ntuli, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi, emphasised that the Government of Provincial Unity has placed economic growth, investment attraction, and job creation at the heart of its programme of action. “Working in partnership with business, organised labour, and municipalities, we are restoring investor confidence by improving governance, strengthening infrastructure coordination and creating a more enabling business environment,” he said.

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, commended the remarkable progress made by the country’s Special Economic Zones, emphasising their vital contribution to industrialisation, job creation and inclusive economic growth. He noted that SEZs continue to play a pivotal role in positioning South Africa as a globally competitive investment destination.