The event marked the end of the first phase of the upgrading of the park by the dti at a cost of R40 million. The renovation was part of the departments Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme which started in 2016 and is aimed at upgrading the infrastructure of all state-owned industrial parks.
Dr Rob Davies invites the public to submit their comments or objections to the intention to designate the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. Closing date for comments is 25 June 2019. Gazette Notice (No. 42451)
the dti invites you to apply for participation in the South African National Pavilion at the Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2019 exhibition in Cape Town from 4 to 8 November 2019. The deadline date for the submission of complete National Pavilion application forms is 4 June 2019.
Free State Company off to Uganda in Search of Export Market |
| A Free State company, Basils Business Opportunities is headed for Uganda to look for the export market for its agro-processing equipment that it is manufacturing at its Bloemfontein-based factory. The founder and the Director of the company, Mr Basil Phupha will be one of the 25 businesspeople who will participate in the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Uganda that is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).
Basils Business Opportunities is the only company from the Free State that will be part of the mission which will take place in Kampala from 19 – 24 May 2019. The mission will consist of a business seminar, a series of business-to-business meetings, and site visits. According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the main objective of the mission is to increase bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and Uganda. Phupha says although this is his company’s first international trade mission with the dti since the establishment of the company in 2016, he is confident that he will be able to find a distributor who can assist him export his products to Uganda. “Our main goal for travelling to Uganda is to find the market for our products that we can export to the East African country and the region. This is in line with our company’s long-term plan to increase the number of African countries that our products are exported to. Currently, we are exporting to Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho and we are optimistic that we will soon add Uganda on our list as a result of this forthcoming mission,” says Phupha. In addition to increasing trade and investment between South Africa and Uganda, the mission is also expected to boost efforts of the dti to assist participating companies create job opportunities where they are located. Companies that manage to successfully obtain orders or secure deals with distributors and importers will increase their production and certainly create more jobs to meet the new export demand. Basils Business Opportunities is currently employing six people. Minister Davies says that Uganda is a strategic partner to South Africa within the East Africa region and enjoys a unique location at the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, which makes it accessible to the Central and East African markets. “This makes the country a viable market for business because it has the potential to be a transportation, logistics and transit hub for regional trade and investment,” adds Davies. Enquiries: |
Minister Davies Leaves for India to Attend the WTO Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi |
| The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, has left for New Delhi, India where he will be attending an Informal WTO Ministers Meeting on 13 and 14 May 2019. The aim of the mini-ministerial is to exchange views and ideas on how to best address the challenges facing the Multilateral Trading System (MTS), as well as discuss issues of concern to developing countries.
There are different diagnoses of problems facing the MTS depending on which side of the spectrum a country is. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the exchange of views among participating countries on current developments in the Multilateral Trading System with a view to promote inclusive growth and development. Minister Davies said “We need to shape a multilateral trade environment that is conducive and supportive of industrialisation, and supports structural transformation and economic diversification. This includes recognising the necessity of policy space for developing countries, especially African countries to pursue our development objectives and promote regional integration”. Minister Davies reiterates that the meeting is taking place at a time when global trade is going through a period of uncertainty with an increase in protectionism in some countries and a backlash against trade agreements and globalisation due to lack of inclusive growth. The Government of India that is organising this meeting, expressed the hope that this meeting will provide a direction on how to constructively engage on the various issues facing the WTO, including the current challenges in the appointment of Appellate Body Members, in the build up to the next WTO Ministerial Council meeting that will take place in 2020. Enquiries: |
Minister Davies Approves Recommendation to Designate the Bojanala Special Economic Zone |
| The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, has issued a Gazette Notice (No. 42451) notifying the public and interested parties of his intention to designate the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. The public and interested parties will have 30 days from the date of the Gazette to support or object to this intended designation.
Minister Davies has received and approved a recommendation from the Special Economic Zones Advisory Board to designate the Bojanala Special Economic Zone. The application for the designation of the Bojanala SEZ was submitted by North West Government’s Provincial Department of Economic and Enterprise Development, through the North West Development Corporation (NWDC). Minister Davies received and approved a recommendation from the Special Economic Zones Advisory Board to designate the proposed Bojanala Special Economic Zone. This, was after the Special Economic Zones Advisory Board was satisfied with the proposed business case and economic opportunities that underpinned this envisaged development. The Special Economic Zones Advisory Board recommended that the Minister of Trade and Industry designate the proposed area, and grant a Special Economic Zones Licence to the North West Government’s Provincial Department of Economic and Enterprise Development, accordingly. The proposed SEZ will be developed in a 1175 hectors, which will include the old Bodirelo Industrial Park in Mogwase, Moses Kotane Local Municipality. The SEZ in Mogwase – Moses Kotane Municipality will focus largely on Mineral Beneficiation (especially the Platinum Group Metals – PGMs), Manufacturing including Mining Capital Equipment Supply, Agroprocessing and Renewable Energy. According to Minister Davies, the designation of Bojanala SEZ will afford the Bojanala region with an opportunity for developing a purposeful, world-class mineral beneficiation infrastructure. This will (in turn) go a long way in ensuring that the economic value (and associated economic opportunities) of mineral endowments that abound the Bushveld Complex are fully optimised. “The proposed SEZ will play a catalytic role towards the economic revival and industrial diversification of the whole mineral dependent Bojanala region. More importantly, this development is expected to contribute towards strengthening South Africa’s international trade through the export of value-added commodities, the creation of stronger value chains and the provision of much-needed jobs in the previously disadvantaged regions”, said Minister Davies the dti will, within these 30 days, arrange a public hearing in Mogwase, Bojanala District in North West to allow for the community to provide further inputs on the proposed development. The details concerning the date and venue will be communicated to the public in due course. Enquiries: |
SA Companies to Undertake Trade and Investment Mission to Uganda |
| Twenty-five South African companies representing the agro-processing, capital equipment, energy and furniture sectors, will get an opportunity to expand their export market to East Africa when they participate in the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Uganda from 19-24 May 2019. The mission is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country. More than 1 000 companies were assisted through the scheme in the last financial year.
According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, the main objective of the mission is to increase bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and Uganda. “The mission will also introduce South African exporters to the Ugandan market with the aim of assisting them gain entry into this market, identify trade and investment opportunities, and generate export sales. It will also contribute positively in strengthening bilateral economic relations between South Africa and Uganda and provide the participating companies with a platform to gain insight into the dynamics of the Ugandan business environment,” says Davies. He adds that Uganda is a strategic partner to South Africa within the East Africa region. The two countries enjoy sound political and economic relations that are managed through several bilateral agreements. “More significantly, Uganda enjoys a unique location at the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, which makes it accessible to the Central and East African markets, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). This makes the country a viable market for business because it has the potential to be a transportation, logistics and transit hub for regional trade and investment,” says Davies. He adds that the mission is part of South Africa’s economic strategy for Africa, which is premised on implementing an outward investment-led trade approach which will result in two-way trade and investment that will benefit both South Africa and its trading partners in the rest of the continent. “The mission is aligned to our mandate of increasing intra-African trade and investment in line with the objectives of the Continental Free Trade Agreement,” adds Davies. Uganda is South Africa’s second largest export trading partner in East Africa, making it an important trade and investment partner for South Africa’s economic relations with the East Africa region. The total value of bilateral trade between SA and Uganda amounted to R2.09 billion in 2018, with a trade surplus in favour of SA as SA’s exports to Uganda totalled R1.99 billion in 2018 while SA’s imports from Uganda were valued at R102 million in the same year. Enquiries: |
SA Companies Pleased with Outcomes of the USA Offshore Technology Conference |
| South African companies who showcased their capabilities at the four day-long Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) that ended today in Houston, Texas in the United States of America (USA) are pleased with the quality of meetings and leads they acquired. The delegation was from the steel and fabrication; engineering and services; electro technical and services; and oil and gas sectors, and the Saldanha and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zones.
A 32-year-old who studied B-Com Accounting degree and furthered his studies in Maritime Economics and later found passion in the shipping industry Mr Durand Naidoo who is the Managing Director at Linsennambi – a 100% Black owned South African shipping company, offering bunkering and shipping services to the maritime industry, attended the Offshore Technology Conference and showcased for the first time. Naidoo described the South African pavilion at the conference as one that allowed him to engage with the principals and suppliers whom he deals with on an international basis and new potential clients. I was overwhelmed with the companies from all over the world, across the spectrum and the leading technology as well as equipment, said Naidoo. Additionally, he said that he was pleased with the participation and turnout and will be following-up with international companies that are looking for bunkering service in their offshore bases which will be positioned for drilling around Mozambique and Mossel Bay areas. “It is clear that all the international companies have their eyes set on Africa as well as gas. I think the interest has reaffirmed that gas is the future of the energy mix. The experience we acquired will allow us to go back and speak with our oil majors’ customers and let them know that internationally we will see suppliers and companies coming offshore and we should position ourselves to service them and if we don’t we will run the risk of our gas industry being run by foreign companies,” said Naidoo. The executive Director of OSCMarine Group, Mr Travis McDonald who was also participating for the first time said the experience was great and phenomenal and they received a lot of enquiries for the Richards Bay region. He stated that the company received a number of enquiries that they will follow-up in the next week with the hope of turning them into opportunities. “Without a doubt, the show was a door opener and most importantly the pavilion managed to highlight what South Africa can offer,” said McDonald. The Commercial Executive: Technical at Sturrock Grindrod Maritime (Pty) Ltd Mr Guy Sampson whose firm participated for the sixth year said the show had better flow and presence. Importantly, Sampson said he was taking home a lot of leads from companies that do a lot of offshore drilling. The Managing Director of Hall Longmore Mr Kenny van Rooyen said Hall Longmore has a long stand standing relationship with the customers in the US and pre-planning and arranging meetings prior the show and looking at additional clientele goes a long way for a company. “The show offered us with an opportunity to touch base with our existing customers and potential customers”, further said van Rooyen. According to the Director of Export Promotion at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Mr Luke Govender, companies have positioned themselves strategically as suppliers of choice given the country’s industrial base. Furthermore, he said South Africa continues to ensure that it maintains a market share by being present and visible in the US. Conversely, the US needs to take serious cognisance of the immense trade and investment opportunities by forming strategic alliances that seek to capitalise on our commercial ties as envisaged in the African Growth and Opportunity Act . “The clustered approach which comprised of the dti, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone and the SA Oil and Gas Alliance is reflective of an SA Incorporation approach in enhancing services of exports and simultaneously attracting export-related foreign direct investment from developed markets,” said Govender. Enquiries: |
SA Delegates Registering Good Progress at Offshore Technology Conference in USA |
| A South African delegation from the steel and fabrication; engineering and services; electro technical and services; and oil and gas sectors, and the Saldanha and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zones are registering good progress in Houston, Texas in the United States of America (USA) where they are showcasing their products and services at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone Ms Kaashifar Beukes, says she is pleased with the opportunity of networking with the oil and gas industry captains of industry. Furthermore, she says the delegation seeks to attract investments into South Africa from the oil and gas sector as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment drive. She adds that it has been a busy conference and the delegation is receiving a lot of enquiries on what South Africa can offer the industry. “Important for me is to also understand where the industry is headed especially with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. So for our emerging economy and industry, it is important to understand how industry players are adjusting their game plan, their business models and what technology they are looking at going forward so that we can be part of that future as well,” says Beukes. The Project and Marketing Manager at South African Oil and Gas Alliance (SAOGA) Ms Belinda Williams says the alliance is eager to see an increased number of South African local oil and gas services exported on a global scale for the offshore industry. She adds the alliance also want to elevate the status across the globe, particularly in the US market. “It is fantastic to see our companies with a variety of services in this space and to see the ship builders, as well as the ship and rig repairing companies in the conference because all the rig owners are in the US. The companies must take full advantage of their presence in this space. We anticipate that the show will be a good one for the SA companies,” says Williams. The Key Accounts Manager at Hall Longmore – a steel pipe manufacturing company based in Gauteng, Ms Mmatsheko Shai says she is optimistic that the company will export around 30 000 metric tons into the US market by end of 2019, with the intention to grow the number in the next five years. She is pleased will the enquiries she is receiving.  SA delegation in Houston, Texas in the United States of America (USA) where they are showcasing their capabilities at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). Enquiries: |
Samsung South Africa Launches R280 Million EEIP Programme |
| JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 7 May 2019 – At a function, held in Johannesburg today, Samsung announced its R280 million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1 billion to the South African economy at large. EEIP is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) where multinational companies that are unable to sell equity in South Africa are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE and development of South Africa. The announcement event, which was by addressed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, through a video, as well as the President and CEO of Samsung Africa, Mr. Sung Yoon, followed Samsung’s recent commitments to long term investment in South Africa.
According to Minister Davies, the Samsung South Africa’s Equity Equivalent investment amounts to almost R280 Million over 10 years. It joins nine other multinationals that have been approved for a value of R2.2 billion collectively. The programme has so far resulted in the creation of over 3 000 direct and indirect jobs. The Samsung plan will create and address key developmental aspects linked to the National Development Plan (NDP) and overall transformation of our economy. These include the Black industrialisation through e-Waste recycling, beneficiation research and development in partnership with Mintek, which is a first for Africa, where a beneficiation plant is planned to be built and maintained by South Africans, and operated by a Black entrepreneur, enterprise development, and the development of township economies through Accredited Services Centres and software development. “We are delighted that the Samsung EEIP will have the following measurable impacts on the South African economy: it will result in the creation of 262 direct jobs; it will allow the emergence of a new Black Industrialist; it will support 13 black-owned and women-owned businesses and will contribute R945 million to the economy. We are happy that the dti has contributed and supported Samsung in the design and development of this programme that will result in the establishment of five accredited service centres that are black and women-owned. These will be providing repair service to all kinds of brands of consumer electronics, hand-held devices, air-conditioning and refrigerators,” said Minister Davies. The Director of Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa, Mr Hlubi Shivanda: “We believe our EEIP strategy will help alleviate the many challenges the nation faces. Our alignment with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 is part of our statement of intent. The fact is, Samsung is firmly committed to growing South Africa through socio-economic change and has dedicated the necessary resources and time to create a future, which was once merely a dream.” The approved Samsung SA’s EEIP has an integrated approach, which means that Samsung will be an integral partner in the creation of the first and only black-owned and operated e-waste beneficiation plant in Africa that can separate Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). The company has also opted for a strategic partnership-aligned model to achieve greater impact. In this regard Samsung has partnered with government departments such as DEA, DHE, DTPS and the IDC. UWC has been selected as anchor partner for the development of black application development skills. Additionally, a partnership with Microsoft AppFactory will provide real experience to supplement the theoretical knowledge gained by beneficiaries at UWC. Mintek will be Samsung’s technology partner for e-Waste beneficiation. Ultimately, The Samsung SA EEIP will make a measurable difference to socio-economic development of black South Africans. The alignment with the overarching objectives of the NDP Vision for 2030, B-BBEEE policy, Industrial Policy Action Plan, as well as the Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy is set to make a difference by; strengthening government’s Black Industrialisation Programme, driving a culture of innovation through digital solutions, enhancing entrepreneurship development, job creation and township economic development and technical skills development to contribute to much needed skills in the country and raise the prospects of employability. Samsung will continue to pursue opportunities where people can become meaningfully engaged in the economy and in doing so, have a positive impact on their families, communities and therein, the entire nation.
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