Training for emerging and established exporters

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Global Exporters Passport Programme is offering training to the export sector.

If you are in the export business, or would like to get into this sector, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is offering training opportunities.

The department is inviting existing and emerging exporters to apply for support and training under the Global Exporters Passport Programme, which forms part of the critical components for the National Exporter Development Programme, to prepare small and medium enterprises for the successful expansion of their businesses into international markets.

Interested parties are required to complete and submit an export-readiness assessment form (obtainable from the department’s website at www.thedti.gov.za/invitations/Exporter_Development.pdf), which will help determine the appropriate level of training that each company needs.

Training is divided into four phases, namely an introduction to exporting, planning for exports, market entry, and global exporting.

The first phase of the Global Exporters Passport Programme provides foundation training for enterprises on issues, modalities and the benefits of exporting.

It is designed to teach enterprises basic export skills, export terminology, information about the international trading environment, Incoterms principles, the fundamentals of foreign market research and the concept of cultural barriers.

Offering wide-ranging training

The phase includes three registered South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) unit standards that provide 16 credits towards the National Certification: Export Administration qualification.

The Introduction to Exporting training covers the complete export cycle, differences between local and international trade, mode of transport, methods of payment, foreign currencies and exchange controls, export documentation, freight cost elements, duties and other elements.

The second phase focuses on market analysis and the development of a company’s export strategy and plan. It includes two registered SAQA unit standards that provide 12 credits towards the National Certification: Export Administration qualification.

The training covers market research, to gather data from external sources and within the company; competitor analysis; air, rail, harbour and road distribution; banking; financial; e-commerce and communication networks.

The third phase addresses market-entry issues, targeting specific markets based on the export marketing plan developed in phase two.

It also assists enterprises with the implementation of the marketing plan. The training covers doing business in a specific region, market access issues, customs and taxation, product branding for a specific market and market research.

The last phase includes a one-day workshop between the department, stakeholders and exporters on issues affecting exports and exporters.

Areas of focus include the current developments in international markets, latest opportunities and threats affecting the export market and developments in trade protocols and agreements.