Dti launches campaign against low-quality imports

In a bid to protect consumers from low-quality and fraudulent imports, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has joined forces with relevant industry bodies and the South African Bureau of Standards to develop voluntary standards and later compulsory specifications. Among the sectors under the spotlight are the organic and olive oil sectors, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said last week. According to BuaNews, the dti has funded the foodprocessing sector to the value of R736 million in incentives over the past three years. Davies noted that traditional export markets for South African food were expected to register relatively low growth for the next two to three years. Opportunities for SA-produced goods exist in Brics countries, the African continent and the Middle-East region, he said.