SA INDUSTRY now seems to be paying more than lip service to developing this country's export potential, according to Ann Moore, g.m. of Safto (SA Foreign Trade Organisation).
This is clearly indicated in the fact that our latest intake for our 3-year export management course has broken all the records, she said, with more than 300 applications received.
The message from various quarters of the government and the private sector about the value of exports is obviously getting through. And more companies are recognising the need to have qualified staff to enhance their export activities. The Safto course - accredited by the MITB (Maritime Industry Training Board) forwarding and clearing sector - is a two-level course.
In the first two years it covers the technical aspects of export management - for example documentation, payment procedures, finance transport, INCOTERMS, legal aspects and business marketing.
Successful completion of this leads to a Certificate in Export Practice.
The third year concentrates more on the management principles - with advanced level international marketing and export law being vital ingredients of this part of the course. The student also selects two subjects on which, respectively, a thesis and case study are compiled.
The course is the only one currently in South Africa to be accredited by both the International Association of Trade Training Associations and the British Institute of Exports.
