Understanding the process of exports, especially from the logistics point of view into the rest of Africa, is important when considering export. There are many opportunities and challenges. Part two of the export webinar concentrated on these elements with an aim to bring understanding to attending members who wish to embark on exports into Africa. 19 members attended this knowledge-sharing workshop, brought to our members by EFLC.

Source Africa, now called All Fashion Sourcing, launched a hybrid version of their trade show this October at the Look Out in Cape Town. This event hailed as one of the most successful editions of the show, platformed 10 SAFLEC and EFLC members. The Economic Division heads of Cape Town, UNIDO, Simon Paul, founder of YDE, as well as the Retailer Association of South Africa, and DTIC all attended the event and round-tabled on various panel discussions on the way forward for South Africa's CTLF industry. Visitors from Switzerland and other international countries attended. South Africa took a step forward and sustainable brands such as “Cork” displayed their amazing ranges. ENCA interviewed SAFLEC member WEEF, a leather goods manufacturer, who is making a mark in the international arena.  Amidst the restraints of physical trade events, this hybrid was a definite move to a successful event, said Nerisha Jairaj of SAFLEC. The networking opportunities allowed us as an entity to connect with many stakeholders that could lend to developing and creating market access opportunities for our members. It proved that so much more could be done face to face as opposed to virtual as we concluded business arrangements that would have taken months if done virtually at the event. Well done to Messe Frankfurt on this innovative hybrid.
 

With the world opening up to physical events, this SAFLEC/EFLC/WESGRO dtic collaborative event, set to be the last of virtual events that SAFLEC would embark on for 2021, was yet another event that drew buyers in from around Europe. A successful connection was made with Global Sourcing, a company based in Europe looking to connect with manufacturers of woman’s, and men’s medium quality medium-priced goods. Mr Toni Tannoia, CEO of Global Sourcing Group, said that he was excited to start collaborations with South African Manufacturers. SAFLEC will do direct introductions to selected manufacturers that Mr Tannoia has identified.  We hope that this could result in some positive discussions, said SAFLEC.  In addition, SAFLEC said that they were looking at new ways to continue to promote “Made in SA” as with every product, the life cycle reaches a stage of decline at some point. With physical events opening worldwide, the attendance of virtual trade shows is declining. We are restricted as dtic physical trade show funding is still closed since March last year. Everything SAFLEC has done over the past two years has been through our own funds, EFLC funds, and the funds of collaborative stakeholders. It has taken a lot of meetings and negotiations to continue trade promotions with shared expenses amongst our stakeholder partners. From converting manufacturers to digital marketing material, creating a virtual platform to acquiring and sending out buyers lists and access to knowledge portholes, much has been done through collaborative efforts and we thank our stakeholders for joining us to assist our members.