Trade policy: Free ports, zones

摘要

South Africa's Department of Labour announced a new Employment Strategy Framework in 1998. Under the programme, export-directed, high-value and labour-absorbing projects are considered crucial for the economy. In keeping with international trends in export-zone development, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition embarked on a policy of creating industrial-development zones (IDZs). This policy was reaffirmed in 2014 with the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs), a broader category than the IDZ, which are allowed only near seaports or airports. The largest IDZs are in Port Elizabeth (Coega) and East London (see National incentives).