Joburg Market boosts exporter awareness

The Joburg Market in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Growth Development Agency (GGDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) has launched an Exporter Awareness Programme.

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The programme will help export-ready agricultural and agro-processing businesses to identify and take up export opportunities. It will also help entrepreneurs to achieve technical, administrative and business readiness to export.

Speaking at the launch today (24 February), Ravi Naidoo, executive director: economic development for the City of Johannesburg, said South Africa’s exporter base within the agriculture and agro-processing sector needs to be broadened.

“Exports mean economic growth but many businesses are unable to meet and comply with export regulatory requirements,” said Naidoo. The programme can change this.

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Dr Andre Gouws, independent economist and international trade advisor, said 5% of 26 000 exporters in South Africa export 75% of products. “There are not enough South African farmers who export produce and value added products from the country,” he said.