Dear Editor,
ON A recent business trip to Ghana, which was scheduled to coincide with WAM'98, West Africa's third international mining exhibition and conference held in Accra, I was impressed with the attendance of so many South African suppliers to the mining industry.
Of the over 70 exhibitors listed, at least 60% were South African-based companies with major companies such as Bell Equipment, WAP, Grintek Telecom, to name a few.
What I found quite disturbing was that not one logistical supplier took part in the exhibition. The only freight forwarder present from South Africa was Expeditors International in conjunction with their Ghanaian counterparts Antrak, who had a field day canvassing new clients.
As is common knowledge the mining industry is one of the largest growth industries within Africa for South Africa. Major freight forwarders are in the process of establishing special project divisions to tackle these lucrative contracts. Yet none of them thought it worthwhile or had the foresight to present their product at an opportune time with the shipper and consignee at the same venue.
Even more disturbing is the fact that of the two major magazines directed at the mining industry in Africa, both published in South Africa, not one logistical supplier advertised their services.
Of late the forwarding industry is re-evaluating its focus, mainly due to the drop in imports resulting from the devaluation of the rand and opportunities that this has presented for exports. Yet their sales executives are unaware of routings for exports and invariably do not sell the product.
Max Mariotti, general manager, Aviation G.S.A. International, Johannesburg.
n Aviation G.S.A. International is a cargo sales agent representing various airlines with a strong emphasis into Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. It is also involved in full and split charter operations into Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
