It's always important to celebrate victories

It’s always important to celebrate victories.

Two recent events are cause for optimism, particularly as they highlight the power of collective action.

Last week the Chamber co-hosted a showcase event for the Global Export Accelerator Partnership (GEAP) which develops black-owned small businesses. We heard direct from programme beneficiaries, funders, and a range of economic partners who all helped explain why these initiatives are central to our economic development. Today’s successful small businesses are tomorrow’s export giants, especially if business development programmes receive the support they require to gather momentum.

As a Chamber we see these partnerships as integral to our modus operandi and core philosophy of enabling business growth.

In that regard we are also heartened by last week’s Chamber-led logistics cluster event at ABSA’s regional office. There is real commitment to improve the logistics environment through active collaboration, and we firmly believe the private sector is the key to this process. Inefficiencies at the Ports and across the rail system are costing the country billions in terms of lost revenue, maintenance and repairs. By pooling our resources we can help address shortcomings. Better efficiency translates into better international competitiveness.

Quality research is one area where our stakeholders can make an immediate impact, particularly if it receives funding support. South Africa – and the Western Cape in particular – is blessed with several world-class tertiary institutions, all willing and able to conduct research relevant to the broad aim of growth and job creation. In the case of logistics this research would go a long way towards illuminating some of the key inefficiencies – and how they can be unblocked.

We are convinced there is real political will to address some of our key economic challenges, and we intend rallying our partners to keep at it until we start to see the growth we require. ENDS

John Lawson
CEO of the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry