The Motheo district is the largest FS district with 27.4% share of the total population in the province. The district is home to the capital of the province – Bloemfontein, also known as the “City of Roses”. The city is regarded as the business and central hub of the province.

Motheo District includes the densely populated Mangaung Municipality which further comprises of Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Zastron and ThabaNchu. The dominant sectors in the Motheo district are Wholesale, Retail & Trade; Finance, Real Estate & Business Services; Transport & Communication; and Community & Social Services sectors. There are also agriculture and mining activities in the district that contributes to the district’s economy.

Motheo District’s economic production trend is less volatile and is the largest contributor to the Free State economy, contributing 36.9% of the Province’s total GDP. Community Services, Finance and transport and communications are the leading contributors to the Motheo district economy.

The manufacturing sector is the main exporting sector and was responsible for 99.3% of the total annual exports from the District in 2007. The main commodities being exported are other chemicals and man-made fibres, followed by motor vehicles, parts and accessories.

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The Boshabelo Industrial Park houses a large number of textile manufacturers, and it is planned to develop this area into a textile hub. A company manufacturing denim cloth, claimed to the only manufacturer in SA to be doing so, is located in this Park. The idea is to increase synergy between various textile enterprises within the industry.

A company manufacturing paraffin stoves for export to UN sponsored programs in Central Africa is expanding its operations to the manufacturing of domestic electrical components. Other flourishing industries in this industrial park include electrical enclosures and plastics products etc.

At nearby Thaba ‘Nchu, industrial development is starting to come on stream and the Selowsesha Industrial Park has recently been renovated. Investors into this Park include an electrical-equipment manufacturing company, shoe manufacturer, clothing factories, leather tannery and a meat processing plant.