The importance of growing ‘dynamic’ product exports

Exporting was the lifeblood of the South African economy and played a critical role in its growth, said Christiaan Saaiman of the Department of Trade and Industry at the 10th annual JCCI-FNB Gauteng Exporter of the Year awards. Saaiman said without exports the country would not achieve its growth targets, as it remained an “important growth pillar for the South African economy”. “Exporters have had an extremely tough time thanks to the global economic downturn, the strong rand and the changing global markets. It is therefore important for us to support our exporters and encourage them to persevere in these difficult times.” Saaiman said it was for that reason that the DTI supported initiatives such as the Exporter of the Year as it was not just the right thing to do but actively acknowledged the difference exporters were making in the country. “South Africa represents only 0.05% of the world’s exports. When it comes to developing countries we are ranked 24th on the exporters’ list and while we are the number one exporter of commodities, we are 48th when it comes to dynamic products. We need to improve these statistics,” said Saaiman. “We therefore need our exporters to be motivated. It is crucial for the economy of the country.” Experts agree that exporters have been compelled to look at new markets in the past 24 months following the global economic meltdown, which saw much of Europe and the USA negatively affected. With the South African government actively engaging with the governments of India, China and Brazil, exporters are being encouraged to look for new opportunities and to persevere through the difficult times. Exporters have to deal with the high cost of transport, infrastructural deficiencies and complex distribution channels on a daily basis.