'We must work together to address problems'
SOUTH AFRICA'S success is related to Africa's success. The future of this country depends to a great extent on how it becomes a major and successful trading partner with the rest of the continent, says Alistair Ruiters, director-general of the Department of Trade and Industry.
How we ensure that there is a positive market to create greater opportunities and how we begin to capitalise on human resources is crucial to the entire success of it all, he says.
"Right now the African exports figure internationally of less than one percent is depressing. We have more access as a continent to preferential agreements worldwide, but our trading figures are low.
"What we need to develop, therefore, is a greater movement of goods within the continent itself. We need to gain a greater knowledge, both here and in the African countries with which we trade, of capital flows and the development of finance.
"People everywhere are going through major change. We at DTI for instance are moving away from being purely public servants to being public sector managers. But it is not enough to have a strong DTI and then find our efforts are negated by inefficiencies in communications and transportation.
"Here the private sector must play an important role in helping us develop trade into Africa. After all, we are the private sector's best entry into government itself, so why not use that doorway?
"DTI must not be seen merely as a product service entity but should be observed in the role it can play in change as a whole. If there is something wrong somewhere in the service chain, clients must tell us so that we can work together to get it sorted out."
Right now DTI is focusing on three major sectors: energy, transport and telecommunications. "If we can help keep costs down through targeting energy supplies, we will have achieved something. We are working on the process of getting an efficient transport logistics framework going, to help keep the prices down. And communication efficiency is essential if it is all to come together."
Referring to the SADC, he said that although there was a preferred agreement in place, there was work to be done there. "Like everything else delays cannot be accepted any longer if the entire network is to operate successfully and trade with Africa is to be stimulated to a point of real value to all.
"Remember, Africa makes us successful. That is the way we must think."
Alistair Ruiters . . . Africa makes us successful. That is the way we must think
