'Consistency will propel SA into top league of trading nations' - ICS

THE RANGE and quality of South African exports is improving, prices are competitive, there is a great deal of trading expertise and the export infrastructure is excellent.
A greater degree of consistency and confidence would propel South Africa into the top league of trading nations.
This was the message at The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers annual banquet held at the Bryanston Country Club recently where over 100 members from around South Africa were joined by representatives of the forwarding community and government.
The South African branch
is now developing well after many years in the cold , says Shaun Maynard of Penmarine Shipping. The Institute has been revitalised with the re-emergence of South Africa as a welcome member of the world community and employees are serious about succeeding in shipping careers.
Of the 1100 people worldwide who sat Institute examinations in April, 50 were from South Africa. There are already over 100 applications for the recently launched Introduction to Shipping course which was a world first.
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers was ready to step up its role in adding impetus to the export drive through contacts, expertise and education, he said.
Guest speaker Dr Geoff Garrett, president of CSIR, said participation in world forums had shown that South Africans were inventive and creative in finding business solutions. This was reflected in the securing of global automotive and other manufacturing export contracts in addition to continued penetration of mineral and agricultural markets. Though South Africa was a latecomer to the modern economy and needed to catch up, the signing of such contracts was a positive sign for the future. Bodies such as the Institute had a key role to play in educating and motivating tomorrow's achievers, he said.