Phase two will increase the floor space of the factory so that the company can manufacture washing machines and air-conditioning systems. Once phase two is completed, Hisense will look into manufacturing mobile electronic devices in Atlantis.
In 2010, the residents of the town were left jobless after electronics company Tedelex closed its doors.
The South African government is prioritising manufacturing as part of its various economic interventions, which include industrial financing and incentives schemes.
“To the people of Atlantis, this factory brings hope that the burden of poverty and unemployment that ravaged the people of this area for years can be reversed,” he said, adding that the factory would help to reverse the net job losses experienced in the first three months of the year," Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel said.
“Nationally, it helps us to realise our vision of re-industrialising the South African economy and strengthening the manufacturing sector,” Patel said.
Patel said the rolling out of the massive National Infrastructure Plan -- with a projected expenditure of R4 trillion -- would also serve as a stimulant for the coming 20 years.
“This programme, with over 120 projects nationally, is employing over 150 000 people and growing.”
