Forestry giant Sappi, will invest R10.8 billion in KZN,over the next 5 years.
This emerged at the KZN Investment Conference, held last week, at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Alex Thiel, Sappi SA CEO, said “we are dedicated to growing the forest sector value chain through collaboration with over 4,000 timber growers, SME suppliers, and numerous community development partnerships.”
Already a key investor and economic growth partner in KZN, Sappi operates three mills and 165,000 hectares of forest plantations in the province.
“We are also one of the largest users of Durban Harbour, exporting primarily to India, China and other Asian countries” said Thiel.
To ensure that KZN is a premier destination for investment, it was also useful to discuss the challenges facing companies operating in KZN, such as rail infrastructure including the delayed rebuilding of the South Coast Railway Line and availability of railway equipment.
Sappi said it remains committed to sustainable growth and community development in KZN.
Also at the conference, were Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry, Businessman Vivian Reddy, Thami Ntuli, Premier of KZN, Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Zuko Godlip, Deputy of the Trade and Competition Commission, Moses Tembe, Co-Chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition and Tebele Makhetha, Head of Corporate Affairs for SSA.
Picture: Supplied