He said the investment was proof that international investors had confidence in the province despite challenges SA was facing — such as the electricity shortage. “There are a lot of other investors who continue to knock on our doors,” said Mashatile.
The brewery would have an initial capacity of 3-million hectolitres, but its construction would allow for expansion.
It will brew Heineken, Amstel and other brands within the stable.
It is expected to create 225 permanent jobs as well as service-related opportunities.
The MEC could not hold back his smile when he told reporters yesterday that the presence of another brewer would create competition and “hopefully" beer prices would go down. “Heineken is a very nice drink,” he added.
The brewery project would be completed next year.
Mashatile; education MEC Angie Motshekga; sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Barbara Creecy; and health MEC Brian Hlongwa were briefing journalists on plans for 2008-2009, key achievements, and challenges in implementing the five-year programme.
He said the Gauteng Economic Development Agency had facilitated more than R10bn worth of investment to the provincial economy.
He said the province would target sectors such as manufacturing, sport, creative industries, tourism and the 2010 Soccer World Cup strategy to accelerate economic growth and create jobs.
“We have spent more than R350m to fund various growth and development strategy (GDS) projects.
“We are evaluating projects worth more than R64m that require funding from the GDS,” he said.
Mashatile said the province was negotiating with the A1 Grand Prix to bring the race to the province.
“An announcement will be made next week when negotiations will be concluded.”
The race has been held in Durban for the past three years.
He said his finance department was helping 11 Gauteng municipalities to improve their management abilities in an effort to cut the number of municipalities that received qualified audit opinions.
Auditor-general Terrence Nombembe said this year that in Gauteng, out of 14 municipalities, only five had received an unqualified audit opinion.
Out of the five, only one had a clean report — without any concerns.
In conjunction with the local government department, Mashatile's department would provide capacity to municipalities to improve planning, budget allocation, cash flow management and asset registration, he said.
Source: Business Day
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