Zeph Ndlovu, President of the Durban Chamber - Nominees announced for KZN Exporter Awards 20162016-10-18 The partnership between the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Transnet Port Terminals continues to grow as they will again host the 2016 KZN Exporter of the year awards. Now in their 16th year, the awards have grown progressively since their inception in 2000 with four additional categories being included this year. The competition recognises companies in the export business in the province. Their successes of the past year are celebrated but this goes beyond the usual sectors and businesses normally affiliated with the term 'export'.
According to Transnet Port Terminals CE, Karl Socikwa, the awards since their inception and TPT's sponsorship sixteen years ago have expanded significantly as far as the scope of industries and businesses that are participating. "As a key enabler of exporters in this country, we play a critical role in ensuring that South Africa does not only export traditional cargo to the world but also in exporting various other services. As the cog that ensures that the wheels of this country's economy are continuously turning, it only makes sense that we continue to be involved with an event of this magnitude. Exporters are key role players and drivers for what makes a good economy work. The value of the Rand depends on us for economic activity. It is fitting that during Transport and Maritime Month that we recognise these key players. Three of the four new categories introduced will look to award recipients beyond the traditional exporter of tangible products and focus more on recipients exporting soft skills. In pursuit of becoming a growing nation we need to think beyond the traditional boundaries of exporting because as a country we can only grow with the increase of net exports," stated Socikwa. Dumile Cele, CEO Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry said, "As the Durban Chamber, the KZN Exporter of the Year Awards is an opportunity for us to celebrate and encourage exports out of KZN. The Durban Chamber processes thousands of certificates of origin, which are important international trade documents attesting that goods are of South African origin. We have found it encouraging that there has been an increase in the number of certificates of origin processed in the last year. This is testament to the growing manufacturing sector and exports from South Africa as a result of a favourable foreign exchange rate due to a weaker rand." The awards are also supported by other strategic partners such as the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Affairs (edtea), Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), Ethekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC), Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) to highlight successful exporters in KwaZulu- Natal. We are pleased to announce this year's finalists in the following categories; Emerging exporter Rocket Works (Pty) Ltd, BBF Safety Group, Factocode (Pty) Ltd T/A Microfinish Small Hillcrest AIDS Centre Woza Moya, Saddler Belts & Leathercrafts (Pty) Ltd, Africa! Ignite Medium Bata South Africa, SBS Water Systems (Pty) Ltd Large SAPPI Southern Africa, Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Inhep Electronics Holdings (Pty) Ltd Africa Pakco, Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd, Electronics Eletronics (Pty) Ltd Service Provider Mediterranean Shipping Company (Pty) Ltd, Saltrans Logistics, Rohlig Grinrod The new categories are:
For more information, please contact Sharmala Pillay, Durban Chamber Events Manager, on pillays@durbanchamber.co.za or 031 335 1000. |
|
||