GROWING TRADE between India and South Africa has motivated the appointment of dedicated staff at Premier Freight to focus on the route. Durban branch manager Mannie Maistry sees huge potential in both sea and airfreight volumes with growing Indian exports of machinery, fabrics, raw materials and tiles. In addition to trade with India, the company’s strong network of partners in strategic ports in China has enabled it to offer a consolidation service out of this growing market. In the lull and closure of clothing factories in Swaziland after a strong run with Chinese exporters in the garment industry, Premier is now exporting caramel used in soft drinks to the US and Australia, as well as vehicles, motor parts and raw materials to a range of destinations abroad. Maistry says Lesotho is also becoming a focus of new business for the company. A cross-selling initiative between Sasfin Bank and Premier Freight, with the company handling the international forwarding and customs clearing of transactions that are financed by Sasfin, has also helped to grow the business.
