Eastern Cape businesspeople will get an opportunity to learn more about exporting of goods and services to various countries at the export awareness seminars that will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Port Elizabeth and East London this week.
In East London the seminar will take place at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation Auditorium on Thursday, 25 February 2016, while the Port Elizabeth leg will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay City Hall on Friday, 26 February 2016.
According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies the dti is holding seminars in all of the country’s provinces in order to promote the national export culture to ensure that more companies produce products for the export market.
“The seminars are part of the department’s National Exporter Development Programme (NEDP) which is aimed at increasing exports, particularly the value-added products. Through the programme, we would like to ensure that we develop a pool of export-ready companies that will contribute significantly in growing the country’s exports, thereby contributing in growing the country’s economy and creating employment,” says Minister Davies.
The focus of the seminars is on the enhancement of the national export culture, provision of information and advice, as well as capacity-building. The seminars are held in partnership with provincial development agencies, development finance institutions, chambers of commerce and municipalities.
“As part of our mission to grow and diversify South Africa’s export basket we are assisting companies develop new markets and new export products. We have been encouraged by the increasing number of companies which join our international trade missions and exhibitions taking place in various parts of the world after attending the workshops. This is in line with our efforts as government to promote the manufacturing of value-added and exportable goods as part of our industrialisation plan aimed at growing the country’s economy in order to create employment opportunities and to deal with the challenges of poverty and equality,” says Minister Davies.
Trade and Industry has set up an export help desk at the department’s offices in Sunnyside, Pretoria where companies receive export information and advice.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
