Dumile Cele - Ensuring Sustained Economic Growth through Exports2017-12-07 2017 KZN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The outstanding performance of companies exporting within KwaZulu-Natal was recognised and celebrated at the 17th edition of the 2017 KZN Exporter of the Year awards held at the Durban ICC on 19 October. The Awards are hosted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), and are designed to honour and promote large and small businesses that have proved their excellence in tough international markets and to inspire other ambitious companies to export their goods and services. In her keynote address Nozipho Sithole, TPT chief executive, highlighted the vital role that exports play in growing the region's and country's economy. "Exports play an important role in our economy by influencing the level of economic growth, employment and the balance of payments. Traditionally export jobs have been in manufacturing industries - an important source of full-time employment, especially in industrial regions. However, in recent years, exports have become more diversified with a greater reliance on service sector based exports, which is why over the past two years we introduced new categories at these awards. Congratulations to all of you here tonight for playing your part in strengthening our economy. We recognise your excellence and are committed to working closely with you and other players in the export and import industry to provide you with the support you need to achieve optimum results. For the sake of strengthening your business and the overall health of the country's economy." CEO of the Durban Chamber, Dumile Cele highlighted that the crucial sector of exports needs to ensure that more people enter this platform as that's the only way to reverse the trade deficit and ensure stability and growth of our economy. The key focus of export growth is for exporting companies to provide a facilitation service to other like-minded manufacturers, big or small, who wish to expand their production capacity. Cele thanked TPT's investment in the sector and their involvement in the awards. "A major role of the Durban Chamber is to facilitate and promote economic growth in the region through partnerships with strategic stakeholders, for 17 years TPT has shared its meaningful commitment to creating an enabling environment for exporters to play their role in ensuring sustained economical growth as international trade is one of the key features that make KwaZulu-Natal a key contributor to South Africa's economy," Cele said. Other strategic partners that support the awards include; 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). KwaZulu-Natal's exports increased and more than doubled to an estimated R122.8 billion in 2015 from an estimated R46.6 billion in 2005. This is a contribution of 18.9% as a proportion of GDP. Over and above this constitutes 11.8% of South Africa's exports. which is second after Gauteng (64.3%). KwaZulu-Natal has a comparative advantage as the province is home to the busiest ports namely, Durban and Richards Bay. KwaZulu-Natal's manufacturing sector is the second largest in the country with almost 30% of South Africa's manufactured exports produced in the Province. The Durban South Basin is a key manufacturing and industrial zone of the city, contributing a major part of Durban's GDP and providing 10% of the country's manufacturing jobs. The top five manufacturing industries in the province, in terms of employment, are clothing, textiles and footwear, food and beverages, basic iron and steel and metal products, chemicals and plastic and paper and publishing. What's more KwaZulu-Natal is a significant producer of vehicles and vehicle components. The awards were adjudicated by: Thembi Phahla - TPT, Zenzile Makelo - Mediterranean Shipping Company, Nkululeko Kunene - seda, Farai Moyo - EDTEA, Louise Pelser - Chair: Durban Chamber Trade and Investment Forum, Claude Moodley - TIKZN, and Odirile Ramasodi - ECIC. PricewaterhouseCoopers were the award auditors. A call was made to exporting companies and individuals that export their services to other countries to make use of the opportunity available to them to grow, access opportunities and receive publicity by entering the KZN Exporter of the Year awards for 2018. |
Dumile Cele - Ensuring Sustained Economic Growth through Exports
Copyright © 2024 KwaZulu-Natal Top Business
