Page 6 - KZN Business Sense - 4.2

KZN COMPANIES INTENSIFY GLOBAL TRADE WITH

GHANA MISSION

ew markets for KwaZulu- processing; built environment; said: “Our previous visit to
Natal companies and a mining and capital equipment and Ghana generated some tangible
Nboost for the province’s cultural industries, participated leads and the need to further
Trade, Investment Promotion in the Ghana International cement relationships with key
and Economic Development Trade Fair in Accra supported by stakeholders to catapult trade
Programme (TIPED) were some TIKZN’s BEE Fund. relations between the two
of the spin-offs of the recent As a direct result of the countries cannot be emphasised.”
successful Trade and Investment Ghanaian trade mission, Leo “The marketing of our TIPED
KZN trade mission to Ghana. Garments, a manufacturer initiative also received a major
Following a fruitful visit of protective outerwear from boost during our discussions
to Ghana in 2016, Trade & ballistic body armour to chemical, with the Ghanaian Investment
Investment KwaZulu-Natal mining, blood and fat and rain Promotion Centre (GIPC),
(TIKZN), which promotes KZN protective wear, is engaging with which falls directly under the
as an investment destination two distributors. Presidential Office.”
and assists local companies to “More importantly we are During the talks between
access international markets is negotiating an agreement for TIKZN’s Executive Manager for
intensifying efforts to promote a company to represent Leo Corporate Services, Mxolisi Miya, At the Ghana International Trade Fair in Accra were (from left):
foreign trade. Garments in the West African and Edward Ashong-Lartey, Sibongile Silwanyana, Key Accounts Manager Home Concept

Endorsed by the Department region. We hope to conclude GIPC Director for Investor Furniture Manufacturing; Frank De-Destiny, Chief Executive
of Economic Development, this agreement by the end of Services, a serious commitment Potters Concrete Products; Nompumelelo Hlela, South African High
Tourism and Environmental May when the potential agent was given by the Ghanaians to Commission in Ghana and Andrew Milne, Director of Home Concept
Affairs, the objective of the latest visits South Africa. An agent will participate in the programme. Furniture Manufacturing
trade mission from 28 February develop distributors, resulting in a “The discussions around
to 7 March 2018 was to meet much larger distributor network,” the logistics and a possible a KZN brand or product into import demand will increase in
organisations that expressed said Ravesh Rama, Managing Memorandum of Understanding their portfolio. 2018. The firm noted that after
interest in KZN products and to Director of Leo Garments. are already underway between “This provides a partnership high inflation and a high central
consolidate tangible leads that Sibongile Panky Silwanyana, TIKZN and the Ghana IPC,” between KZN and Ghanaian bank policy rate which limited
would translate into lucrative Key Accounts Manager for said Miya. business entities to increase consumption in 2016 and 2017,
export orders. Home Concept Furniture the South African market share slowly improving economic
“Such commitment will have
Several criteria set out by Manufacturing, said: “We hope far reaching benefits for South into, not only Ghana, but the West growth, in the non-oil sector
and easier credit access due to
the Department of Trade and to broaden our scope with small Africa and those investment African region.” monetary easing, will see import
Industry Export Market and kitchen manufacturing businesses promotion agencies operating “With both Ghana and South demand for consumer goods
Investment Assistance influenced in Ghana. I feel confident that the within the borders of the Africa showing support for the increase gradually during the year.
the recruitment and selection leads we obtained will definitely South African Development new Continental Free Trade
of companies exhibiting at the contribute to new markets, Community (SADC),” he said. Agreement which will create a A long coastline, two major ports
TIKZN pavilion. These were improve our efficiency and continental market of over one and air routes to SA and other
BEE status; at least two years in increase our employment.” Christina Pillay, Export billion people, we look forward parts of the world make Ghana
operation and at least six months “We aim to do business with the Promotion Officer at TIKZN to increasing trade flows that are well positioned as a regional
of demonstrated production people of Ghana and will strive said: “Linkages for KZN not reliant on the volatile prices entry and exit point on trade
and capacity to produce for the towards providing a high standard companies have been created of commodities - mainly oil - and routes. Given the diversity and
export market. of quality kitchens at affordable with members of various lifting trade barriers inhibiting abundance of Ghana’s natural
Ghanaian chambers and
resources, the country has
Seven KZN companies, prices,” she said. agencies who have the proven intra-Africa trade.” approximately twice the per capita
representing the targeted Neville Matjie, Acting Chief distribution channels and Research firm, Business Monitor output of the poorest countries in
sectors of agriculture and agro- Executive Officer at TIKZN local infrastructure to include International, forecasts that West Africa. 

DURBAN CHAMBER LEADS DELEGATION TO PROMOTE CITY

AT GLOBAL BUSINESS ROUND TABLE

he Durban Chamber of Heading the delegation on well as the global stage. Hosting
Commerce and Industry behalf of the Durban Chamber this roundtable provides Durban
Thosted a business round was Zeph Ndlovu, Board member with ideal visibility to showcase
table at the 8th Global Business and immediate past President. the investment opportunities as
Roundtable Congress and Accompanying him on the panel well as business capabilities and
Exhibition held at the Sandton are representatives from Dube technological capacity our city
Convention Centre in April. TradePort, Durban ICC, Trade has to offer. A valuable strength
This platform provided an and Investment KZN and uShaka of the Durban Chamber is
opportunity for key stakeholders Marine World. facilitating robust and constant
from various entities in Durban engagement between private and
to pitch investment, business The Summit theme was public sectors and key to this is
and tourism offerings available “Africa: The New Frontier for pioneering workable partnerships
Economic Development” and
in Durban. The event included a the round table will be recorded as seen in the diversity of the
fully-fledged exhibition and trade panellists in our delegation,”
fair where government, private and broadcast as a city profile said Musa Makhunga, Durban
television programme to a global
sector, development financiers, audience of 100 million viewers Chamber President.
state-owned entities, trade and over a period of 12 months.
investment agencies, chambers The 4-day event held from From left: Lucky Mbiko, Managing Director – TBN Africa and Panel
of commerce, small and medium “As the Durban Chamber, we 17 – 20 April attracted over moderator, Zeph Ndlovu: Board member and immediate past president
enterprises (SMEs) and other are committed to ensuring that 1000 delegates from more than – Durban Chamber, Donne Kruger: Manager, Gauteng – Trade and
parties of interest showcased their Durban is suitably positioned as 80 countries at the Sandton Investment KZN, Scott Langley: Marketing, Sales and Events Director –
goods, products and services to a the preferred city to do business Convention Centre which has Durban ICC, Mpume Mthembu: Marketing Director - uShaka Marine
global delegate base drawn from with, not only in South Africa been the host venue since its World, Owen Mungwe: Executive Manager, Development Planning and
80 countries. but on the African continent as inception eight years ago.  Infrastructure – Dube TradePort. (Photographer: Bright Mokome)

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