The Metro held Exports Training Initiative


The Buffalo City Metro Export Helpdesk in partnership with Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) held a sector specific training for emerging and seasoned exporters on Wednesday 04-06 June at King David Hotel.

Over 10 companies from around the City in the agri-processing, manufacturing and creative industry sectors took part.

Buffalo City Export Helpdesk is an initiative of the Metro and ECDC mandated to develop and promote exports in the City and its surrounding areas.

Buffalo City Export Helpdesk unit alignes its activities with the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) that identifies the steps that entrepreneurs go through from a domestic enterprise to a global enterprise and facilitation of export trainings in the region is one of the key deliverables of the Export Helpdesk.

Speaking about the initiative Linda Lubengu, ECDC’s Export Relations Coordinator said “Exporting can be a complex exercise therefore its essential that domestic companies are trained and gain the necessary skills required for trading globally and in order for exports to grow in the region of Buffalo City an export culture should be created and this is achieved through export awareness activities and training of companies”

“The purpose of the training is to prepare companies for the successful expansion of their businesses into international markets and it is strengthening the need to prepare and equip exporters for growth and development in the exporting sector.” Lubengu said

Suzanne Herbst who is the facilitator from Sandra Kruger and Associates(SKA) reiterated the need to empower export entrepreneurs as this will go a long way in understanding trends in international markets.

“The idea behind these kinds of training is to finetune and impart knowledge to the exporters for them to have a better understanding of how international trade works and opening up channels of communications,’’ said Herbst.

One of the exporters in the training Odwa Ngcape from Eyethu Paint Factory said he was delighted about the opportunity given to the emerging exporters and had this to say about the training, “This will open doors for us as emerging exporters and we are excited about the opportunities ahead,” said Ngcape.

The Metro embarks on these kind of export trainings twice a year to further enhance skills development for growth to ensure that exporters thrive in their respective businesses.

2018-06-07