Fedex could bring in its own aircraft within two years FEDERAL EXPRESS chief economist Dr Ting Ho says he is impressed by high management standards in the local freight and airline industry, and that SA companies rank with some of the world's best run companies.
US-based Ho recently visited SA to carry out a market evaluation for Fedex. Ho's report will be based on meetings with local airlines and freight operators and will include an evaluation of the socio-economic environment in SA.
I have found that SA companies in general are top quality, with a highly professional management, he said.
Ho said it was unlikely that Fedex would begin to fly its own planes in SA anytime soon, as it does in most countries where it has a presence. SA's overregulated airline industry made it difficult for a new entrant to our skies, he said. However, it was possible that Fedex would begin to operate its own aircraft in two years time.
Ho said Africa was attracting a great deal of interest and that SA was viewed as the gateway to the continent. He pointed out recent announcements by several large Japanese automakers to acquire a greater stake in the local manufacturing industry, and Coca Cola's commitment of more than R1bn in investments in the local beverage industry.
There are a lot of good things to be said about Africa, he said. SA is seen as the beach-head to future developments in the continent.
Malaysia was particularly enthusiastic about SA. Already the biggest investor in SA over the past year, the Asian country would continue to seek out business in Africa. Ho - who is himself a Malaysian - said it had undergone a similar experience to SA.
Affirmative action programmes to Ôindigenise' the economy had been applied and efforts were being made to reduce income disparities which at one time were among the highest in the world.
This experience, coupled with the pressing need to find outside investment opportunities, had attracted Malaysian businessmen to SA, he said.
