From 24 to 26 August 2022 the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) partnered with the NWDC to host Export Awareness Workshops for export-ready SMMEs with registered, operating businesses.

Three duplicate workshops took place in Rustenburg, Mahikeng and Potchefstroom.

The three locations were used in an effort to cover as large a part of the province as possible to reach SMMEs who have expressed an interest to move their business to the next step of exporting.

The purpose of the workshops was to raise awareness of the export process and empower export-ready companies with information and know-how to be able to export on their own.

As part of an information-packed programme, highlights of topics that were covered included:

• Export readiness assessment (able to serve a domestic and international market)
• Understanding export processes
• The importance of registering as an exporter via the SARS customs division
• Importance of a certificate of origin, to prove a product is authentically South African
• Export marketing – Having a marketing plan and strategy developed and in place for an export market
• Know who one’s competitors are (other countries)
• Export licenses and permits required for certain categories of products
• The export process and required documentation
• Trade lead enquiries
• Services offered by the dtic’s Export Helpdesk
• What EMIA is and how to qualify (Export Marketing and Investment Assistance)
• What SSAS is (Sector Specific Assistance Scheme) – application through provincial agencies. It is funding for emerging exporters.
• What an international expo pavilion participation entails
• Being aware of export councils that one can join, that are industry-specific.

Presenters also stressed that to be able to export successfully, companies have to understand the export process.

They encouraged potential exporters to register with the dtic to attend the two-four day intensive workshop on exports, the GEPP (Global Export Passport Programme).

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