The South African government has unveiled a new plan to spread its industrial development -- and the jobs it provides -- to poor regions in the country.
The plan is currently awaiting approval, but it could revive many of South Africa's poorest regions. In the past, these areas have been ignored when planning industrial developments, but the government has decided to make a conscious effort to distribute economic activity throughout the country, hoping to significantly reduce unemployment and poverty by 2014.
"While SA has upped economic growth over the past two years, metropolitan areas have been the major beneficiaries, with the rest of the country experiencing increasing wealth and income disparities."
"Economic activity in SA is clustered around three metropoles, representing 65% of SA’s gross domestic product, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said at a conference where the new industrial strategy was released."
"These areas had been marginalised by mainstream developments in what had become a new form of economic apartheid, the minister said."
FULL STORY: New industrial policy to get poor areas growing
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