Tag: international trade

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) increases customs duties for online retail orders as part of a broader strategy to promote local businesses and address global supply chain imbalances. The clothing and textile industry has faced widescale criticism for controversial environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. South African consumers may imagine themselves to be far from the hub of these issues. However, we are all participants in the global supply and demand for fashion.

Legal opportunities in mining are rapidly expanding as South Africa’s mining sector continues to evolve. This offers significant growth and policy influence. In recent months, a wave of international law firms has closed their doors in South Africa. They cite challenges like economic uncertainty. As a mining lawyer, I have a deep-rooted belief in this country’s potential.

Advanced Import Payments (AIP) are a crucial strategy for businesses seeking to enhance efficiency in their cross-border operations. In South Africa, where recent regulations have re-shaped the landscape, understanding, and leveraging AIP can yield significant advantages for international trade, integrating South Africa further into the global economy.

For jobs to be created, new industries need to be created and for that, you need people. A unique opportunity for job creation is emerging with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which is set to not only become a new growth area of its own but will also upend innumerable existing industries.

The trade finance ecosystem plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade by providing financing and risk mitigation services to importers, exporters and other participants in the global supply chain. In recent years, the trade finance ecosystem has undergone significant transformations driven by technological advancements and the growing importance of data – and we’re proud to be leading the charge in and for Africa.

Nearly three decades after the dawn of democracy, South Africa has remained a country of ‘two agricultures’. On the one hand we have a subsistence, primarily non-commercial, black farming segment. On the other hand, however, we have a predominantly commercial and white farming sector that is well-resourced and has access to domestic and international trade networks.

In the vast expanses of the African continent, a beacon of entrepreneurship and innovation shines brightly. Nestled at its southernmost tip, South Africa is not just a country, it's a dynamic marketplace brimming with potential. Yet, it's not just the sprawling savannahs or the captivating cultural heritage that make this nation remarkable.

A trade in the commercial sense is a mutually beneficial exchange. With the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement having come into operation in 2021, it would be fitting to remind ourselves of the benefits of free and unfettered trade, especially for the African continent and its people.

Durban's port may soon get a revamp, but it needs to learn from the best in the world. During President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address in February he assured the nation that Transnet was “currently focused on improving operational efficiencies” at the country’s ports, “through procuring additional equipment and implementing new systems to reduce congestion”.

On 1 January 2021 trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) started. The AfCFTA, with its 35 signatories, is an instrument that legitimises the creation of a single continental market for goods and services.