For some time now, the Export Capacitation Program has been delivered to companies based in Nelson Mandela Bay through a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and its economic stakeholders, namely the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). Numerous SMMEs across the metro have drawn considerable benefit from this empowerment initiative. Several of those beneficiaries have since taken part in local and international exhibitions and trade missions arranged by NMBm and its partners.
Export Development & Promotion•Within the Trade & Investment sub-directorate, the Export Helpdesk is responsible for:•Promoting the products/services of Nelson Mandela Bay;•Participating in and coordinating trade missions;•Provide intelligence, support, and training to emerging/established exporters; and•Facilitating international trade and market access.
TRADE FORWARD SOUTHERN AFRICA•In 2022, NMBM was designated as a Knowledge Centre of Trade Forward Southern Africa (TFSA)•Trade Forward Southern Africa is a United Kingdom (UK) government-funded trade initiative supporting growth in South African exports.•As a knowledge centre for TFSA, NMBM is able to:1)Provide free and easy access to the latest information and tools for local businesses to competitively grow their exports and markets;2)Equip businesses to comply with standards and regulations across regional and global value chains, including the UK;3)Offer targeted online training sessions for firms and customs on export requirements for regional and trans-continental trade, including on UK requirements; and4)Promote women’s participation in export trade to boost overall economic growth.
Exporter development includes coordinating training for emerging exporters in the following areas:•Global Export Passport Programmes (GEPP)•Marketing sessions•SARS Session•Coaching and mentoring•Export Awareness workshop•African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) seminar
The promotion aspect of this office includes the following;•Promoting the products/services of Nelson Mandela Bay;•Participating in and coordinating trade missions;•Provide intelligence, support, and training to emerging/established exporters; and•Facilitating international trade and market access.