Gauteng searches for investors for its aerotropolis

Jack van der Merwe, head of the aerotropolis steering committee is seeking private investors to join the project to transform OR Tambo International Airport into a major transport hub. Image: Tuks

A five-year implementation plan for the aerotropolis is scheduled to be released for public comment within six weeks.

The proposed aerotropolis - an industrial and transportation hub around an airport - is part of President Jacob Zuma's strategic infrastructure projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

The commission is overseeing the investment of R850bn in the three years and started in 2013.

About 700,000 jobs were expected to be created by the planned aerotropolis in Ekurhuleni which is centring its economic strategy on the project.

The aerotropolis steering committee head Jack van der Merwe said the five-year plan had been submitted to the Ekurhuleni mayoral committee for approval. The aerotropolis committee was now working on a 25-year plan.

Speaking at a freight summit in Boksburg, Roads and Rransport MEC Ismail Vadi said the aerotropolis was not a "government-only project". He said the five-year implementation plan would detail the different components of the project and illustrate how the private sector could get involved.

"Airports can become a hub of economic enablers and stimulators. "We want to establish a city around OR Tambo International Airport to expand and increase the freight and logistics in the surrounding areas," he said.

Source: Business Day via I-Net Bridge