The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry

COMMENDING A TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS

In many quarters within Business, the mood is one of despondency. We are not creating the jobs we require, the cost of doing business is rising, the maintenance of a conducive environment for business activity is not being achieved and recovery of the global economy is being seriously inhibited by financial events in Europe. While the country is making strong efforts to break free of the historical reliance on European markets, the Eurozone remains South Africa's premier trading partner. And the precipitous state of the Euro in 2012 has resulted in declining orders and more strain for local manufacturers. The comparatively new focus on the East has yielded excellent markets for our mineral resources, but, at the same time, has undermined our own manufacturing sector by offering a market keen to pander to the consumers' desire for lower prices. Except in some notable instances, South African manufacturing is not able to rise to the challenge of competition based on productivity and cost-effective labour.

Recently, an eminent international economist, noted particularly for this work in the promotion of aerotropolises, made the observation that South Africa is structured to perpetuate the "old" and not the "new" economy, of which the characteristics are speed and agility. The question that Business needs to ask in relation to this is: do we have to rely on a changed structure to enable us to enter the contemporary new paradigm? Is it not true that Business has the expertise and skills to break those bonds of impediment?

This publication celebrates the achievements of the top companies in KZN, many of which have increased their agility in response to changing times. This is the reason they are among the best in the province, less affected by either global circumstances or structural inhibitions. The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauds their achievements and takes pride in the fact that most are within its membership. They can help the Chamber fulfil its mission of the twenty-first century which is to provide valuable and relevant support to Business generally, to be the unambiguous and influential voice for Business and to facilitate and promote the development of the micro, small and medium sector where the best hope for job creation lies

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CEO
Andrew Layman
http://www.durbanchamber.co.za