By Dean Workman
The building of an Aerotropolis was highlighted during Tuesday’s media tour.
The tour showcased how the city was bringing in major developments to attain its goal of becoming Africa’s first Aerotropolis.
The tour started at the Ekurhuleni Business Facilitation Network (EBFN). The centre was built to be the hub of entrepreneurial investment.
The centre houses core economic development activities by providing coordinated business support, incubation, mentorship and financing interventions.
It also houses the Investment Centre which, according to Mr Ivan du Plessis who is the senior protocol officer for the City of Ekurhuleni, provides assistance in the development application process and requirements to unlock public and private sector investments into strategic and underdeveloped areas of the city.
The tour then went around the city which is steeped in the history of being a mining city.
That has now changed as industrial developments are being built all around Ekurhuleni.
The city is looking to use the Aerotropolis to build the economy as it has now extended the urban parameters of Ekurhuleni, allowing more industrial developments to take place in areas such as Pomona which was previously agricultural land.
This development is evident to anyone who travels on the R21 highway towards Tshwane, as all the new developments are clearly seen from the highway.
The tour helped showcase the various industries that are coming together to form the Aerotropolis.
This plays a major role in not only the creation of job opportunities but also in attracting foreign investors.
“The ability to attract foreign investment is a major part of forming an Aerotropolis and in helping to improve the lives of the residents in the city,” said Mr Du Plessis.
