TRADEPOINT South Africa, DURBAN

The EThekwini Municipality and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal’s Economic Development Department have identified small and medium enterprises as the key focus area within their respective economic development strategies. One of the key strategies being adopted is to facilitate new growth opportunities for the SMME sector. Furthermore, national economic policy has targeted international trade, especially exports, as one of its main strategies to raise real income level of the country and its people.

UNCTAD, the trade and development arm of the United Nations, has for some years had in place a programme to support countries and areas where there is an identified need, to establish international trade facilitation points to assist SMMEs to enter international markets. Special attention is given to Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs) and other countries less advanced in trade development.

This is known as the Trade Point Programme and to date there are over 115 Trade Points in operation around the world.

UNCTAD has handed its Trade Point Programme to the World Trade Point Federation (WTPF). Together with Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda), the EThekwini Municipality, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry are the stakeholders of Trade Point Durban. A trade facilitation centre has been established to assist SMMEs in accessing global markets.

Two main services are offered by Trade Point Durban. Firstly, the Electronic Trade Opportunities (ETOs), which allows you to post your own business opportunities online and receive responses from all over the world. Secondly, the Global Trade Directory System (GTDS), which is a comprehensive database providing registered companies with instant global visibility and the opportunity to penetrate new markets. Also, at the Trade Point, we will provide you with a comprehensive trade development and facilitation service for you to initiate and complete your export transactions better.

Trade Point Durban is assisting SMMEs in finding potential importers overseas. If you have a product which you believe may have export potential, give us a call. We will arrange meetings with freight forwarders and with your Commercial Bank´s Foreign Trade Department to ensure a smooth export opportunity.

2nd Floor, Chamber House, 190, Stalwart Simelane Street, Durban