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Trade News

Exports can support greater local automotive development

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 Local economic headwinds may potentially be offset by increasing exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area, says industry body National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) CEO Mike Mabasa. The South African automotive industry currently exports to 155... →

Export competitiveness will boost local component manufacturers

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 Replacing imports with locally manufactured components and materials can sustainably improve local supplier development. This is possible if quality standards remain within global benchmarks and if manufacturers can produce sufficient volumes to ensure their costs are competitive for the... →

ARTHUR MTOMBENI collaboration among stakeholders in the automotive value chains and original equipment manufacturers in countries will allow for the creation of a strategic supply base

African automotive industrialisation requires political will, ecosystem

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 Increasing the motorisation rate in Africa from about 42 vehicles per 1000 people to at least the world average of 180 vehicles per 1000 people provide an opportunity for industrialisation, economic growth, balance of payments and job creation in Africa, says industry body African Association of... →

DAVE COFFEY Regional cooperation is important to ensure sustainable automotive industrialisation that benefits of all participating countries

Automotive industry transformation focused on future of mobility

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 Automotive industry transformation initiatives, as captured in the Automotive Masterplan 2035, are aimed at radically transforming the industry to meet the future demands of human mobility, in addition to sustaining and growing the industry’s economic outputs and associated socioeconomic... →

MIKE MABASA There is significant scope for cooperation on skills development, value-chain transformation and supplier development to ensure the sustainability of the automotive industry

Tyre manufacturer building retail markets to secure growth

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 With export and original equipment demand in the automotive industry in Africa growing year on year, it is critical for companies to expand their reach into high-growth markets in Africa to secure long-term growth, says Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop) CEO and National Association... →

NEW TYRES The performance standards, wear characteristics and manufacturing requirements of tyres used on electric vehicles are different to those used on internal combustion engine vehicles

SA automotive manufacturing long-term planning, growth supported by policy

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has been part of the fabric of the South African automotive manufacturing landscape for over 40 years. In that time the sector has evolved from a highly protected, inward-focused production base that exclusively... →

Iata urges action to keep fragile global air transport sector functioning

By: Rebecca Campbell 27th March 2020 The global airline industry is extremely vulnerable to the economic effects of the Covid-19 virus, a recently released analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown. IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce highlighted that, of all the airlines in the world, only some 30 were... →

Communication and planning needed to limit Covid-19 impact on supply chains

By: Schalk Burger 27th March 2020 The impact on supply chains owing to the Covid-19 outbreak and from the closure of ports of entry can be mitigated through identification of potential impacts and early communications among affected stakeholders, says advisory firm Deloitte Africa restructuring services leader Jo Mitchell-Marais.... →

Company transforming amid difficulties

By: Mamaili Mamaila 27th March 2020 JSE-listed sugar producer Tongaat Hulett is striving to reconstruct its business to be innovative, resilient and cost effective. →

TRANSFORMATION IN SIGHT The three main shareholders in Uzinzo hold 65%

Mill closures, continued market decline a concern for growers

By: Mamaili Mamaila 27th March 2020 With two sugar mills closing down and being mothballed for the 2020/21 season, growers are concerned that the remaining 12 mills might potentially struggle to successfully complete this season’s harvest, says the South African Canegrowers’ Association (SA Canegrowers). →

THE NUMBERS GAME The South African cane-growing sector comprises 21 500 cane growers – of which 20 200 are small-scale growers, producing about 20% of the 19-million tons of cane a year

NCC, Competition Commission investigate companies involved in alleged price gouging

By: Donna Slater 26th March 2020 The National Consumer Commission (NCC) working jointly with the Competition Commission have launched an investigation into allegations of price gouging by 30 retailers from different provinces. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel in mid-March published a list of 22 critical... →

Air transport body calls on governments to facilitate air freight to help fight Covid-19

By: Rebecca Campbell 26th March 2020 The International Air Transport Association (Iata), the global representative body of the air transport industry, has appealed to governments around the world to facilitate air cargo operations. Air cargo charter flights, which are replacing suspended passenger operations, are still facing... →

Call for polymer, plastics industries to be declared essential as lockdown looms

By: Donna Slater 25th March 2020 South African plastics industry representative organisation Plastics SA has called on government to reclassify some sectors within the broader plastics industry as essential service providers owing to its contribution to packaging essential items during the upcoming 21-day national lockdown.... →

Ministers announce Covid-19 business support measures

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th March 2020 Amid government’s strategy to “flatten the curve” of Coronavirus infections, government departments have shared more details on the measures that would be implemented to support businesses during the national declared lockdown time and afterwards. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize delivered an... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel

Govt sets aside R500m to import medical essentials for coronavirus

By: News24Wire 24th March 2020 A special package of R500-million has been set aside for trade finance to import essential medical products to fight the coronavirus outbreak, Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel announced on Tuesday. The amount forms part of a package of more than R3-billion put together by the... →

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel

Airbus, Boeing take steps to improve liquidity amid Covid-19 spread

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd March 2020 Aviation company Airbus is continuing to assess the ongoing situation and the impact of the coronavirus, which causes the Covid-19 disease, on its business, customers, suppliers and the industry. It has, in the interim, announced measures to bolster its liquidity and balance sheet in response to... →

DTI effects regulations for healthcare sector, retailers in light of Covid-19

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th March 2020 Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel, after consultation with the Competition Commission, and in terms of the Competition Act, has published regulations for Covid-19 exemption for the healthcare sector. The regulations will come into effect on the date of publication in the Government Gazette. →

Japanese assistance to SA focuses on the transfer of expertise

By: Rebecca Campbell 20th March 2020 Most Japanese assistance to South Africa takes the form of the provision of expertise and the secondment of technical experts, Japanese Ambassador Norio Maruyama tells Engineering News & Mining Weekly. "We [Japan] have a lot of assistance programmes, but each country must request assistance from... →

Stakeholder communication, planning needed to limit Covid-19 impact on supply chains

By: Schalk Burger 18th March 2020 The impact on supply chains owing to the Covid-19 outbreak and from the closure of ports of entry can be mitigated through identification of potential impacts and early communications among affected stakeholders, advisory firm Deloitte Africa restructuring services leader Jo Mitchell-Marais tells... →

VW shutters Europe plants as pandemic slams auto industry

By: Bloomberg 17th March 2020 Volkswagen will halt production at its plants in Europe, deepening the economic pain the rapidly spreading coronavirus is inflicting on the struggling car industry. The world’s largest automaker, joining European rivals and suppliers in suspending output, said the shutdown will last about two... →

Port closures won't impact goods movement – so stop panic buying

By: News24Wire 17th March 2020 The recently announced port closures are only meant to limit the movement of people and will not affect the flow of goods to the country, Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel has said. Patel stressed that the two ports will only be closed for passengers. Passengers from ships that dock at... →

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel

Targeted relief measures being considered for South Africa, says PwC

By: Simone Liedtke 16th March 2020 Apart from providing fiscal and monetary stimulus, a variety of targeted relief measures are under discussion in many countries across the world following the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) towards the end of last year. South Africa is one of the latest countries to experience the spread... →

Covid-19 presents ‘clear and present danger’ to South African economy

By: Simone Liedtke 16th March 2020 Market trends and other economic data confirm that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic now poses “a clear and present danger” to the South African economy, North West University Business School Professor Raymond Parsons said in a statement. According to Parsons, the ripple effects from the... →

AfCFTA to ensure tariff liberalisation by July 1

By: Simone Liedtke 16th March 2020 One of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA’s) immediate tasks is to ensure that the tariff schedule listing all products covered by the agreement for tariff liberalisation and the indispensable rules of origin are finalised to ensure that the implementation date of July 1 is met.... →

Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Fikile Majola

Bank funds beverages company expansion strategy into Africa

13th March 2020 Financial services group Standard Bank has successfully arranged and structured $50-million in financing facilities for beverages company Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) to support its expansion strategy in Ethiopia over the next five years. The Coca-Cola Company holds a majority stake in CCBA,... →

Data, AI to increase FMCG profits and save costs

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 13th March 2020 In order for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to increase profits and remain cost efficient, value chain software company MACmobile believes that such companies need to consider merging artificial intelligence (AI) with the data generated in their supply chain. Owing to the amount of... →

ANDREW DAWSON Using technology will enable distributors to acquire feedback on all their products through the amount of data that is collected

Tanzania set to launch tender for single gauge railway to Rwanda, DRC

By: African News Agency 12th March 2020 The Tanzanian government has announced that it will soon invite international tenders for the construction of a standard gauge railway (SGR) to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), building and construction magazine, Construction Review Online reported. Tanzania's chief government... →

African free trade deal on track despite coronavirus disruption

By: Bloomberg 12th March 2020 The coronavirus outbreak is unlikely to scupper a July 1 target for the first commerce under an African-wide free-trade deal, even if meetings to iron out details are being canceled, said the zone’s most senior official. Cross-border travel bans by some governments, as well as restrictions... →

South Africa losing R250m a day because of illicit trade – BLSA

By: Simone Liedtke 10th March 2020 Illicit trade is one of the biggest contributors to the strain that South Africa’s fiscus is currently experiencing, as the country is losing about R250-million a day in tax revenue as a direct result of illicit trade. Illicit trade is defined as the production, import, export, purchase, sale or... →

Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso speaks to Engineering News about the commissioned report surrounding illicit trade in South Africa. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

Report shows Covid-19 could knock $4bn from Africa’s commodity revenues

By: African News Agency 10th March 2020 A new report has warned that sub-Saharan African economies could be badly affected by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on Monday said the virus could impact sub-Saharan Africa by as much as $4-billion in export revenue. →

Globalisation faces a bend-but-won’t-break crisis on coronavirus

By: Bloomberg 6th March 2020 Globalisation is going through its biggest stress test since the 2008 global financial crisis and its aftermath. But if you want to understand why the forces of economic integration may be more resilient than many think, consider the centerpiece of a fancy new kitchen. When executives from... →

Online purchasing first for South Africa

By: Tracy Hancock 6th March 2020 US construction machinery manufacturer Caterpillar’s mini excavators will be one of the first Cat product lines to be sold online through its Southern Africa dealer, Barloworld Equipment, this year. Following the launch last year, there is growing excitement around the Cat Next Generation mini... →

SOUTH AFRICAN INFLUENCE Air conditioning has also been introduced as an option on all Cat Next Generation mini excavator model sizes in response to direct feedback from South African customers

Post-Brexit UK exports could fall drastically, warns Unctad

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th February 2020 A new study by intergovernmental body, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), on the impact of Brexit on UK exports, has found that the UK is at risk of losing up to 14% of its exports to the European Union (EU) in a “no-deal” Brexit. Nontariff measures (NTMs) could... →

South Africa could lose out on tariffs under Africa trade deal

By: Bloomberg 28th February 2020 South Africa risks forfeiting tariffs on about R70-billion worth of trade when a continent-wide free-trade agreement kicks in, according to the country’s tax commissioner. The first trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which could cover a market of 1.2-billion people with a... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Edward Kieswetter

Pratley in push to increase export sales

By: Schalk Burger 28th February 2020 Electrical terminations specialist company Pratley is having a range of its products recertified, and new products certified in countries to which it exports as part of its drive to grow its exports and diversify the range of products sold in these markets, says Pratley CEO Kim Pratley. Expanding... →

PERFORMANCE FOCUS The company is having its new products certified, and aims to grow exports

Sector in dire need of transformation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The manufacturing industry, and particularly the metals and engineering sector, is in much need of transformation, says national employer federation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa). →

MICHELLE NORRIS Women working in the metals and engineering sector are predominantly found in administrative job functions

Stainless steel growth unlikely in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The level of activity in the local stainless steel sector’s value chain has dwindled in the past decade, mainly owing to international competition, low steel prices and the slow growth of the local economy. →

FULL OF VIGOR Stainless steel is one of the youngest industrial materials globally, managing to positively change people’s lives

Kaspersky supports healthcare institutions amid COVID-19 pandemic with free full featured product licenses for six months

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