KwaZulu Natal Exporter Awards recognize best businesses in export

KwaZulu Natal is a key contributor to South Africa’s GDP, owing to the industries represented in the province, small and large exporters in the supply chain and two of the largest ports and terminals in Africa – Durban and Richards Bay

Durban, 8 July 2014

Exports form the bedrock of any successful economy as they allow a country to form linkages with international markets for the movement of their goods and minerals across continents. It is in recognition of this important role that the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) partners with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) annually to recognize businesses in exports at the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Exporter Awards.

Now in their 14^th year, the KwaZulu-Natal Exporter Awards are an ideal showcase for emerging and established exporters of a wide range of goods. With a GDP contribution of 16 %, KwaZulu Natal is the second largest economic contributor after Gauteng and a large part of its economy is as a result of being host to the Durban Container Terminal, the largest in Southern Africa, and Richards Bay Terminal. The two facilities are among 16 terminals run by TPT.

“The aim of the awards is to encourage new entrants and help existing exporters grow their businesses and develop new markets. The global economy is not yet stable and the contribution exports make in this region towards growing jobs, is vital” says Andrew Layman, Chief Executive Officer of DCCI.

One of last year’s winners Tim Tanner of PT Engineering says: “This competition helped our company get the recognition it deserves. We got so many contacts from the Chamber for local partnerships. It put us on the map.”  PT Engineering now successfully exports locally manufactured and specialized equipment for off-shore oil and gas industries, the sugar industry and general engineering industries throughout Africa and around the world.

Highlighting the importance of participation, Chief Executive of TPT Mr. Karl Socikwa says: “South Africa is reliant on an export-led growth strategy and as the country’s leading terminal operator responsible for commercial import and export, TPT is proud to be associated with such an initiative”. He added that increased participation from businesses across the KZN province will only strengthen their global footprint in exports and make the province competitive. “As institutions facilitating that trade, we too have a role to play in unlocking potential” said Socikwa.

Winners of the competition are offered assistance and close support in prerequisites to successful exports such as company registration, customs procedures, export registration and process – as well as access to incentives for which they qualify. Trading protocols are explained, and consultants with strategic experience in exports provide their services regularly and at no costs. To expose South African products and services to the global community, provincial institutions lead outgoing trade missions to potential export destinations, host an online trade facilitation service, conduct workshops – and provide market intelligence so that exporters can assess the likelihood of success of their planned exports.

KZN’s major export products include aluminium, vehicles, iron, steel, ore, machinery, paper, pulp, varying chemical products, mineral fuels, oils, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment. The launch of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Transnet Port Terminals KZN Exporter Awards is aimed at creating awareness that will see increased participation from provincial qualifiers. Categories of the competition this year include:

• The Small Business Category
• The Medium Business Category
• The Large Business Category
• The New Exporter Category
• The Africa Category
• The Service Provider Category
• The Special BBBEE Category

The competition is now officially opened and entry forms are available from the DCCI offices and from sakalap@durbanchamber.co.za

Present were from left to right in the photo:

Andrew Layman,                                             CEO of Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Johann Ungerer,                                             Bell Equipment                                (past winner)

Louisa Garland –Els                                         Imperial Armour                               (past winner)

Kwanela Gumbi                                               Deputy President of Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Ms Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha MEC: Arts, Culture, Sport & Recreation

Karl Socikwa                                                  CE of Transnet Port Terminals    (main sponsor)

Lindani Dlomo                                                 SEDA Provincial Manager, KZN   (sponsor)

Zamo Gwala                                                   CEO of TIKZN                         (sponsor)

Etienne Venter                                               Regional Sales Manager: KwaZulu-Natal & Eastern Cape at PFK Electronics (past winner)

Richard Cookson                                             Garlicke & Bousfield                  (International Business Mentor)

Slungile Mokoena                                            Sluvin Designs                         (past winner)

Eirc Appelgreen                                              Head: International and Governance Relations, eThekwini Municipality