Polokwane - Limpopo plans to dramatically expand and upgrade its road network to double the province's economic growth rate by 2020.

The province's growth rate is currently 6.5 percent, and the provincial government wants to raise this to 12 percent in the next 15 years as part of its Limpopo in Motion strategy.

"The upgrading of our transport infrastructure is instrumental in reaching this economic growth rate," says roads and transport MEC Stan Motimele.

The province will also play host to the International Transport Convention next week, where delegates from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will brainstorm ways to strengthen the sub-region's roads and transport sector.

President Thabo Mbeki is expected to open the convention on Sunday.

Provincial roads and transport spokesperson Phuti Mabelebele said Limpopo already planned to tar 1250km of road in the next three years.

The province wants to position itself as the logistics hub of the region and create growth in its seven sectors; mining, tourism, agriculture, communication, infrastructure, science, technology, and transport, he said.

The Limpopo in Motion strategy addresses public transport services, transport infrastructure, including roads, rail and air, as well as traffic control and law enforcement and road freight transport.

"The strategy ultimately aims to provide a public and private transport system that will support economic and social development and improve access to and from the province," he explained.

The International Transport Convention will be held in Polokwane and will include military and civilian air shows at the Polokwane International Airport.