SA heads SADC chemical import list

Anna Cox SOUTH AFRICA has become the largest importer, producer and consumer of chemicals in the SADC region. According to a new internet database, Chemissa, South Africa accounts for more than half the SADC chemicals market. The site has been set up and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Its aim is to establish a specialised portal serving as a one-stop information hub for the chemical and allied industries in the region. Future development of the internet site will be funded by subscription from the industry. South Africa imports 55% of chemical products into the SADC with Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mauritius, Botswana and the other nine SADC countries sharing the remaining 45%. South Africa consumes 75% of the chemicals, both imported and produced locally. The region has an export market of $3,8 billion of which South Africa has 87% of the total. The consumption of chemicals in the region is estimated at $18,5 billion which is substantial considering that the total GDP of the SADC is about $200 billion.