Two of Nelson Mandela Bay’s leading business organisations have joined forces in a move aimed at strengthening exports, trade and investment in the region.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) and Exporters Eastern Cape have entered into a collaborative agreement, bringing together the Chamber’s Trade and Investment Desk and Exporters EC’s export-focused network.
The partnership will focus on helping local businesses tackle some of the practical challenges that can make exporting difficult, while improving their ability to access new markets and compete internationally.
Exporters EC chairman Quintin Levey said that while the two organisations have different mandates, they share the goal of growing the regional economy and helping businesses succeed.
“The Business Chamber is leading the way with the support they are providing to businesses in the Metro and we are excited to partner with them through the MOU,” said Levey.
A key part of the collaboration will be lobbying and advocacy around issues affecting exporters, including logistics, tariffs and other trade-related challenges.
Business Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen said these factors can have a direct impact on the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses trying to reach international markets.
“For businesses seeking to access international markets, the ability to move goods efficiently, manage trade-related costs and navigate the export environment is critical to their competitiveness,” she said.
The partnership will also allow the organisations to share industry information and strengthen engagement with stakeholders involved in trade facilitation.
Levey said the organisations hope that greater collaboration and information sharing will help grow the Eastern Cape export market while supporting existing, emerging and prospective exporters.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber represents approximately 700 businesses and is one of the Eastern Cape’s largest organised business structures.
For Nelson Mandela Bay businesses looking beyond local markets, the partnership could mean a stronger collective voice when it comes to addressing the obstacles standing between local products and international customers.
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