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Projects initiated by Gauteng's Blue IQ initiative are all in "various stages of development" and will continue to deliver economic benefits.
BLUE IQ, the provincial organisation that aimed to "unlock" Gauteng's economic potential through infrastructure development, continued to play a major role in uplifting the lives of residents.
Blue IQ's chief executive Amanda Nair
Speaking at a media briefing following the annual general meeting of Blue IQ Investment Holdings held at the GTA Auditorium in Newtown on Monday, 23 August, the chief executive of Blue IQ, Amanda Nair, said the organisation had made huge strides in implementing development initiatives since 2003.
"Blue IQ has been at the forefront of some of the most imaginative projects that have focused the attention of the public, the media, and the local and global investment communities on the economic potential of Gauteng," she said.
The briefing, which was attended by Firoz Cachalia, the MEC for economic development in Gauteng, and Bongani Phakhati, the newly appointed chairman of the board, touched on some of the prominent projects that the organisation was undertaking in Johannesburg and around the province.
Nair said some them were now household names, and included: the Gautrain rapid rail network; the Newtown housing and cultural precinct in the Johannesburg CBD; the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge; Constitution Hill in Braamfontein; the Kliptown heritage area in Soweto; the Cradle of Humankind in neighbouring Mogale City; and the Dinokeng project in the eastern part of the province.
"The mandate of Blue IQ is to identify projects with economic growth potential, to develop the appropriate business models and to manage it until it has reached sufficient financial maturity. Once this has been achieved, the projects are handed over to the appropriate provincial department or local government for its future management."
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill was an example of a project that would remain within the domain of Blue IQ Holdings until it was cultivated into maturity, as it had clear elements of heritage, education and tourism, as well as an enormous development potential.
Constitution Hill: one of Blue IQ's flagship projects in Johannesburg
Blue IQ aims to promote economic growth and development in the province that will lead to the creation of jobs, improved services for residents, and create stable and productive communities. It focuses certain areas, including: infrastructure development; technology and innovation; transport; research and development; and skills development.
Under infrastructure development, projects include the R50-million Ford Mini Supplier Park that is being developed at the Ford plant in Silverton, Pretoria.
Developments at the Constitution Hill site include the construction of the Constitutional Court; offices for constitutional commissions, hotels, libraries, restaurants, and sports fields. Blue IQ has contributed a total of R375-million to develop this area into an attractive tourist destination.
With regard to technology and innovation, Blue IQ is in agreement with the Department of Defence to develop an Institute for Aviation Medicine. In partnership with the University of Pretoria, a biotechnology facility is also in the development stage, as is a Green Technology Cluster for skilling and expertise in this particular area.
Transport
To facilitate employment, growth and investment, the initiative will expand its footprint in the provision of infrastructure in the transportation and logistics sectors. Investment will be made in rail infrastructure to improve the movement of goods and passengers, while reducing the carbon footprint.
There are two private initiatives in Heidelberg, where Blue IQ along and the Gauteng Economic Development Agency is constructing on- and off-ramps through the Department of Transport. The two sites, although private, will contribute to the development of a strategic dry inland port for goods that are in transit from Durban.
Nair said all the projects that Blue IQ had undertaken were all in various stages of development. These projects would continue to deliver economic benefits in alignment with the provincial priorities.
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