Localisation in infrastructure development in SADC critical for industrialisation

Localisation in infrastructure development across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is critical for industrialisation, according to African Integration and Industry chief director Nigel Gwynne-Evans, who spoke at the SADC Industrialisation Week in Johannesburg on Tuesday.   Gwynne-Evans stated that all SADC member states should prioritise localisation in infrastructure development, adding that these developments would require long-term government plans and considerable preparation to achieve the requisite skills and industrial capacity to meet demand. These, he said, would add to the build-up and opportunities to meet the demand for infrastructure.   “State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have a critical role to play in creating the environment that attracts the private sector to invest. The South African Department of Trade and Industry has worked closely with SOEs around driving localisation,” he noted.