S. Africa eyes oceans for economic opportunities

Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-07 03:50:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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CAPE TOWN, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has unlocked investments totalling 24.6 billion rand (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars) through its Oceans Economy Program, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

The largest contribution to the total investment in the ocean economy was from infrastructure development, mainly in ports, manufacturing, aquaculture and scientific surveys in the oil and gas sector, Zuma said in an update on the implementation of the program, also known as Operation Phakisa.

He was speaking during a visit to the coastal city of Durban, where Operation Phakisa was launched in 2014, with the aim of deriving greater economic benefits from South Africa's oceans.

"A lot of progress has been made and I am happy to report back today," Zuma said.

From South Africa's own analysis, the total ocean sectors contribute about 4.4 percent to the country's GDP, with the largest contribution coming from the value chains.

Over 6,500 jobs have been created through the oceanic economy segment of Operation Phakisa, according to Zuma.

As part of the program, consultations have been concluded on 18 of the envisaged 22 Offshore Marine Protected Areas. These will cover approximately 4.4 percent of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.

"With regards to policing and protecting our Exclusive Economic Zone, Joint Operations continue to be conducted in all four coastal provinces as part of the coordinated enforcement program with numerous arrests and confiscations that happened," Zuma said.

South Africa, he said, is now in a better position to locate vessels, especially the ones entering the country's waters illegally and those engaging in illegal activities.

The cabinet has approved the Coastal and Marine Tourism Lab, thus taking Operation Phakisa in the tourism sector forward, Zuma said.

"Our aspiration is to grow a world class and sustainable coastal and marine tourism destinations," he said.

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