F D C (FREE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION)
Business Finance in Bloemfontein

FDC and IDC agreed to cooperate on the provision of operational and support skills including investment promotion and facilitation, project management, financial, negotiation and presentation and marketing and communication skills. FDC and TIA agreed to cooperate on the implementation of the integrated regional innovation system strategy for the Free State which encompasses the identification of near- market projects, pipeline and high impact projects which could be jointly funded and supported through advisory services as well. FDC and SANEC agreed to promote the development of bilateral relations between the Free State Province and the Netherlands by providing a platform to meet, discuss and explore business opportunities in trade, investment and the transfer of technology, services and products. FDC agreed to pay the costs associated with conducting the feasibility study and assist in the overall successful establishment of the proposed project. The emergence of the gold mining sector in South Africa led to the rapid development and industrialisation of the country and ultimately, contributed to South Africa being by far the most industrialised country in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is the world's largest producer of gold. It is ranked first in the world in terms of gold reserves and third in the world in terms of production, after China and Australia. Only about 5% of the country's gold production is beneficiated locally to coins and jewellery. The mining industry is the major employer in the Free State. Petrochemicals at Sasolburg are produced out of bituminous coal which is also mined in the province. High quality diamonds are extracted from the kimberlite pipes and the Koppies district has the country's largest deposit of bentonite. The chemical complex at Sasolburg is the economic driver of the oil and gas sector for the province. Sasol initially converted coal into liquid fuel, fuel components, wax and chemicals through Sasol's proprietary technology processes. Natural gas is reformed into synthesis gas to produce a variety of chemical products. During 2013, Sasol also started to produce electricity from natural gas to supplement its existing capacity and energy sourced from Eskom. In the Free State renewable energy is a key focus area. This makes South Africa's local solar resource one of the highest in the world. The Free State has significant potential for the harvesting of solar energy. Projects in the pipeline for this sector include the manufacturing of solar water geysers and the manufacturing of solar-modules and solar panels assembly facility. It provides the opportunity to harness the natural sun power and to generate electricity.