Dti tells Customs to address congestion

The Department of Trade and Industry has called on Customs in Durban to address issues around congestion. “The dti is responsible for growing trade in and out of this country. We need to know if trade is being hampered and we do take it up with other government departments,” Karabo Modimokwane, acting director of the International Trade and Economic Development (ITED) division of the dti told the Exporters Club Western Cape recently. While encouraging exporters to explore the lucrative markets on our doorstep, he conceded that trade in Africa posed significant challenges. “These are not easy markets to penetrate but for South African companies interested in exporting value-added products and services and who are looking for investment opportunities, this continent offers just that.” He said it was therefore essential for the dti to engage with exporters more regularly to understand their challenges so that government could address them. “There are no easy answers to the problems that you experience – from congestion at border posts and differing Customs systems to expensive transport. We are however willing to engage with you so that we can understand your challenges and then be in a position to take them further with our counterparts in other government departments,” he said. CAPTION AND INSERT We need to know if trade is being hampered and we do take it up with other departments. – Karabo Modimokwane