‘SA exporters have an undeniable advantage’

Exporting across southern Africa’s border is an attractive business – especially in the light of Africa’s new-found global recognition. For Luis De Barros, export sales manager at Plascon, the many fastdeveloping countries that are both politically stable and undergoing major reconstruction offer a host of opportunities to the exporter willing to take on the challenges that crossborder exporting offer. “Yes there are challenges in terms of logistics, the cost of freight and the major competition from Brazil, the Middle East and China, but there are also major opportunities.” De Barros believes that because Africa is such a difficult market to penetrate South African exporters have an undeniable advantage over their global competitors. “We are closer to the markets and we understand them better,” he told FTW. “Being on top of the game and doing one’s homework is essential to successful exporting and anyone who wants to enter this market must put in the time and effort to do this.” He also advises exporters wanting to enter the African market to build a relationship with their logistics providers.