Trade database makes progress in promoting exports

In the two years since its foundation, Trade Point SA – a resource designed to facilitate entry into international markets for smaller companies – has registered significant success. In the custody of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), it has added a powerful dimension to the agency’s Export Development Programme – designed to further small enterprise’s exposure to international markets, and provide a safe trading platform. Teresa Jardim, Seda specialist responsible for TPSA, told FTW: “Trade Point operates through an electronically connected network of over 100 Trade Point centres in more than seventy countries worldwide. “It facilitates transactions between trading partners, as well as offering trade related information through a database that provides traders with data about market opportunities, potential clients and suppliers. Essential information on trade regulations and requirements in various countries is also available.” It has established satellite offices in Johannesburg, Durban and Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) linked with local Seda branches and in partnership with local and provincial government and business chambers. “We plan to open another office in Mbombela (Nelspruit) in Mpumalanga in August,” said Jardim, “in partnership with the Seda local office and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (Mega). “We are also currently doing a feasibility study for an office in the Free State – which will likely open in a couple of months.” Amongst the more recent highlights on the TPSA diary, was two Durban members being chosen by the department of trade and industry (Dti) creative industries department to represent SA as master crafters in the telephone wire weaving sector at the Master Crafters exhibition in Japan. Trade Point SA in Johannesburg recently delivered a five-week export orientation course while Johannesburg members undertook a trade mission to Kingston, Jamaica earlier this year to exhibit and promote SA products to the island and surrounding islands within the Caribbean.