FOLLOWING a trip to Europe, the Limpopo government is galvanised to improve its global competitiveness and grow its export potential.

Spokesperson Phuti Seloba said the trip to Spain and France yielded positive results and they would be looking at cashing in on the teachings and agreements reached that side. Seloba said one way was to increase the province’s export capabilities in the next three years.

“Spain is a serious global competitor in agriculture, especially in the citrus production. Our entry in the Spanish agricultural market is through the expansion of-of the niche agricultural competitiveness in which Spain is less dominant in order to enhance market opportunities for the expanding sub-tropical fruit production especially, avocados and macadamia nuts,” said Seloba.

He said that the aim was to increase exports by at least R500 Million in the next three years.

Seloba added that the Limpopo Economic Development Agency was building the Information, Communication, and Technology Sector in order to enhance production. He said that the sector must contribute at least 6% of the Gross Domestic Product of Limpopo, expand access to knowledge in rural areas and bring the talent of our young citizens into manifestation.

He said that when they were in France, the University of Rennes has agreed to partner with the Limpopo Connexion and the University of Limpopo in the building of knowledge province.

Seloba added that the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone has committed foreign direct investment of R40 Billion and will employ no less than 19 000 people of which 12 000 will be metallurgists.

He said that SEZ operator Permit was presented to Shenzen Hoimor at the BRICS Exhibition held at Xiamen in China and he said that the implementation of the SEZ was gaining momentum.