Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield addresses Eastern Cape Export Symposium

the dtic Commits to Increasing and Diversifying Exports to Boost Domestic Growth

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield says the department will increase its efforts in promoting exports in order to boost the country's economic growth. Whitfield was speaking at the Eastern Cape Export Symposium in East London.

"One of the department's key focus areas is a renewed export drive to lower the risk of slow domestic growth, while also identifying high growth opportunities. Bolstering our international competitiveness and expanding exports markets is key to the Eastern Cape and South Africa's economic recovery and growth trajectory," said Whitfield.

He added that South Africa's export performance faced significant challenges in recent years, impacted by both global and domestic economic conditions.

"Globally, weaker demand in key markets, declining commodity prices, and rising protectionism have negatively impacted South Africa's traditional export sectors. Domestically, infrastructure inefficiencies, such as rail and port constraints, have further hindered the ability of South African firms to compete optimally in international markets," added Whitfield

He reiterated that South Africa could become an export-oriented economy with a dedicated focus on implementing measures to boost competitiveness of local industries in global markets. These include streamlining export processes, lowering trade barriers, and offering financial and technical assistance to exporters.

"the dtic is going to find ways to diversify our exports in relation to the product mix with a particular emphasis on manufactured goods, as well as from a regional perspective to take advantage of stronger growth in non-traditional markets. It is therefore imperative that we raise the level of competitiveness of companies in order to reduce our country's high import reliance," stressed Whitfield.

He added that the dtic would also be focussing on enhancing the competitiveness of the country's export industries by increasing productivity, reducing costs, improving the ease of doing business, and shifting towards value-added products.

"Expanding and diversifying into new markets, particularly within Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), presents an exciting opportunity for manufacturing growth in the Eastern Cape, while further developing value chains as a gateway into the continent," emphasised Whitfield.

He described the Eastern Cape as a well-positioned gateway for expanding export markets due to its three ports providing the province with a unique competitive advantage.

"Manufacturing has traditionally been the driver of economic and export growth in the province primarily driven by the automotive sector, which is the largest manufacturing sector in the Eastern Cape. The province is home to four of the seven Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) operating in South Africa, and hosts approximately 100 major component manufacturers," he said.

He also noted that the Eastern Cape was the country's second-largest citrus-producing province contributing 25% of the province's GDP.

"I would like to also acknowledge the challenges our agricultural sector is facing with certain export products to markets such as the European Union. We are alive to these issues and are actively engaging the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen to find solutions. We also continue to pursue our dispute at the World Trade Organisation," concluded Whitfield.

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