Each month Sassda rounds up a selection of global and local market intelligence articles that are sent to our members in an easy to read package of content. They’re designed to highlight pockets of potential growth in demand for stainless steel. Here are some of the best articles from the last few issues…
Six new projects will create more than 5 000 jobs in South Africa
Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Nomalungelo Gina has announced that government’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) programme has continued to prove successful with several developments expected to create more than 5 000 jobs in the country. In a statement, the deputy minister said the programme has managed to attract a significant number of investors. “This has seen the value of operational investments increasing from R17.7 billion by the end of the third quarter of the 2019-2020 financial year to R19.5 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2020-2021 financial year,” she reported.
National Treasury publishes plan that aims to boost the economy after Covid-19
National Treasury has published its updated ‘Operation Vulindlela’ plan, detailing the government’s strategy to boost the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a government-wide approach through which ministers, departments and entities implement structural reforms amidst key sectors such as electricity, transport communications visas. It aims to fast-track the implementation of high-impact reforms, addressing obstacles or delays to ensure the execution of policy commitments.
Have you considered the power of digital ‘word of mouth’ in selling stainless steel?
In a digitally connected world, positive customer opinions and recommendations can tilt scales in the favour of a particular project, product or service and consequently increase participation, adoption, uptake or sales. However, when recommendation or peer-to-peer marketing isn’t prioritised, and companies ignore what can clearly swing brand perception or sentiment, the result can be catastrophic for the project or business.
Innovative thinking needed to kickstart infrastructure development
Writing in BizCommunity Africa, Aecom MD Darrin Green said in a recent article the biggest opportunities in terms of infrastructure in Africa at the moment are energy (particularly renewables such as hydro, wind and solar power), environment, social and governance (ESG), digital-related infrastructure such as data centres, and basic infrastructure, especially in terms of water management, reuse and sustainability.
Tsingshan to Break Ground for Iron Mine & Steel Plant in Zimbabwe
The world’s top producer of nickel and stainless steel, Tsingshan Holdings Group Co’s local unit Afrochine will start construction on an iron ore mine, a carbon steel plant in Zimbabwe in May 2021 and a fluorite and limestone production plant will also soon be set up. Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Ms Monica Mutsvangwa said “The ground-breaking ceremony for the iron ore mine and carbon steel plant is scheduled for May 2021 at Manhize in Mvuma, south of Harare.” Afrochine signed a $1-billion agreement in June 2018 to build the plant with a capacity for 2 million tonnes of steel annually. It currently produces ferrochrome after building furnaces in 2020 and plans to construct additional furnaces in May 2021.
Industrial sector can no longer afford to delay the adoption of technology
If there is one lesson to be learned from the events of 2020, it is that the industry can no longer afford to delay the adoption of technology, both on and off the construction sites.
In South Africa, the pandemic exacted a heavy toll on the construction industry, leading to severe financial hardship and even closure for many companies. Those businesses that survived were forced to drastically change the way they operate to overcome the devastating effects of a stringent five-week lockdown.