Bernd Oellermann
Bernd Oellermann is director in Regional Industrial Development at the Department of Industry, Trade and Competition (dtic), where he has been working on SEZ’s and industrial parks since 2014. His work involves strategy, planning, policy, implementation and programme management covering a full spectrum from oversight, performance management and M&E to governance, finance and business development.
He has introduced the Eco-Industrial Park programme for the country and developed the industrial parks policy framework that integrates investment promotion, governance, financing, sustainability, operations, infrastructure, shared services and stakeholder management for example. He has conducted research into science, technology and industrial parks and economic zones and contributed significantly towards the development of the Musina/Makhado SEZ, Platinum Valley SEZ and Atlantis SEZ, as well as others in South Africa. This work also included the development of a master plan framework and SEZ guidelines and two papers on systems theory in innovation ad industrialization, as well as numerous policy developments in SME development, education, ICT and industrial development.
Bernd has worked in the private sector for most of his career which included starting and operating two of his own companies, as management consultant and as project and programme management professional in sustainable development and other areas such as renewable energy, water, health, agriculture, engineering, R&D, education, ICT, mining and the financial sector. His work spans government, industry and commerce, labour, communities, youth, academia, research and non-profit environments.
He has a keen interest in the growth and development of people and the triple bottom line of sustainable development that addresses social, economic and environmental development in an integrated and sustainable fashion. He is driven by the belief in the restoration of Creation and every person to their original purpose and identify. His approach is systemic and integrated with an emphasis on collaboration with others to find solutions to the multidimensional challenges we face today.