MEC IDENTIFIES OPPORTUNITIES IN CUBA FOR MP COMPANIES

MEC IDENTIFIES OPPORTUNITIES IN CUBA FOR MP COMPANIES

The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in Mpumalanga, Mr Eric Kholwane says the economy of Cuba provides unlimited opportunities for the Mpumalanga businesses, especially the small and medium enterprises.  Kholwane attended a South Africa-Cuba Business Trade and Investment Seminar that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Havana, Cuba this week.

The purpose of the seminar was attended by businesspeople from SA and Cuba was to bring to the attention of businesspeople from both countries investment opportunities that they can work together and explore. The SA business delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina, who delivered a keynote address at the seminar.

“After attending the seminar I have no doubt that there are numerous opportunities that our companies back home can take advantage of. The opportunities in the tourism and agro-processing are almost tailor-made for businesses in our province. We will make an effort to assist our small and medium enterprises in particular to explore these opportunities. Our province is strong in tourism and agro-processing, so is Cuba. Therefore there is a strong potential for establishing linkages and partnerships between our businesses for the benefit of both countries,” said Kholwane.

He said his visit to Cuba followed a meeting that the province held with the Cuban Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Carlos Fernandez de Cossio Dominguez in Mbombela last week.

“In the meeting we discussed a variety of issues mainly related to our cooperation on health and human settlement matters where we are working on exchange programmes. Not much was discussed about economic issues between the countries because the national Department of Trade and Industry is leading the country’s initiatives to ensure that trade and investment between Cuba and SA is increased as a matter of priority,” said Kholwane.

In his address to the seminar, Deputy Minister Masina reiterated South Africa’s commitment to working with Cuba in order to increase the low bilateral trade between the two countries.  Masina announced that the dti had identified 140 products for trade with Cuba in order to increase volumes of SA exports to Cuba. The Cubans presented a portfolio of investment opportunities worth more than R90 billion in 12 strategic sectors of the Cuban economy. These include agribusiness, biotech and pharmaceutical, tourism, renewable energy, construction, oil exploration, mining, industrial production.

“As a province we will be working closing with the national department so we can make a meaningful contribution in producing and exporting products that are on the list and can be available in Mpumalanga. But what I have noticed during my visit is that there is already a lot that our companies that can to contribute in increasing trade and investment with Cuba. The onus is on us to start engaging seriously on ways and means of taking advantage of those opportunities,” emphasised Kholwane.

He also said there were lessons to be shared between Cuba and Mpumalanga as the province and South Africa as a country in general.

“We need to learn from the Cuban how they managed to successfully deal with the issue of poverty eradication despite the long economic blockade by the United States of America. I have not seen a single person beginning in streets of Cuba,” said Kholwane.

COMMUNITY WARNED ABOUT CHANCES OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

COMMUNITY WARNED ABOUT CHANCES OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs warns the communities about severe chances of severe thunderstorms over the whole Province, especially in the Highveld areas, today. Road users are advised to take precautions while driving. Farmers are advised secure their livestock. Parents are advised to protect their children by keeping them in well constructed structures. Be mindful of flash floods and rising streams. All resources are placed on high alert.

For any disaster emergencies you can contact The Provincial Disaster Management toll free number:  0800 202 507.

Issued by The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Fatima Beyina-Moussa, one year at the head of AFRAA

Fatima Beyina-Moussa, one year at the head of AFRAA

Fatima Beyina-Moussa, CEO of ECAir, is coming to the end of her term in office

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), October 22, 2015/ -- Fatima Beyina-Moussa, CEO of ECAir, Equatorial Congo Airlines (www.flyecair.com), the national airline of the Republic of the Congo, and president of AFRAA, the African Airlines Association, since November 2014 is coming to the end of her term in office. Two weeks before AFRAA’s 47th general assembly, which will be held November 8-10th at the sports complex of Kintele in Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), and will address the theme “Open skies: Growth through competition and collaboration”, Fatima Beyina-Moussa took stock of her time at the head of the association. “It has been my great honour to be the spokesperson of my peers, directors of African airlines. I have been able to meet the leading figures in African and international aviation, such as Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, and political decision-makers, like Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African Union, and to speak of the importance of cooperation and the liberalisation of African skies. I feel that things are moving forwards, that we are being heard. AFRAA does a lot for the development of the air sector in Africa. The secretary general of AFRAA, Dr Elijah Chingoshoet, and his team do remarkable work and it’s been a pleasure to be at their side and make my own contribution”. The aviation market in Africa is on its way to becoming one of the most important in the world with over a billion inhabitants, a third of whom belong to the middle class, the class that travels. Air traffic in Africa is growing by 5.2 % per year while the weakest growth was recorded in North America (2.3%) and Europe (3.8%). The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which brings together 250 carriers accounting for 84% of traffic worldwide, is in line with AFRAA. In Nairobi, on IATA Aviation Day last June, the director, Tony Tyler, urged people to implement the Yamoussoukro decision, a declaration of common intent by African countries in favour of the liberalisation of the skies adopted 15years ago. “To get from one African country to another, it’s sometimes easier to fly out of the continent and take a connection in Dubai or Paris, and then come back into Africa. This is something we want to avoid at all costs. Making travel within Africa easier can only be beneficial for airlines, and above all for passengers. Passengers will enjoy a much better journey than they can do today. Not only are connections between African countries insufficient, but they don’t have enough round trips, either, so passengers can’t get where they want in Africa. This is the battle AFRAA has to fight!” states Fatima Beyina-Moussa

GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESSFUL COMMERCILISATION

GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIALIZATION

Government can play a critical role in creating an environment conducive to successful commercialisation of any technology and this has even been recognised by Cabinet on 22 July 2015 This was said by the Chief Director of Innovation and Technology at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Nonkululeko Shinga. She was speaking at the stakeholder engagement workshop on “Factors Contributing to Successful Technology Commercialisation” in Pretoria.

Shinga said that many internal and external factors come into play and influence the outcome of the technology commercialisation process. While some of these factors and their respective effects are not easy to pinpoint, government can play a critical role in the innovation process by assisting in addressing market failures and creating an environment conducive to successful commercialisation of new or significantly improved products and processes.

“Much effort is needed to intensify the translation of innovative ideas into new products, services or processes to be introduced to the market and successfully commercialised. In response, the dti has identified the need to undertake an investigation into advantages and disadvantages of different methods employed in technology commercialisation, and develop guidelines for financial and non-financial instruments to be implemented in the country to facilitate successful implementation and exploitation of innovation by domestic businesses.,” said Shinga.

There is a wide recognition that developed technology itself is not the end-result but technology must create additional value through proliferation and commercialisation and commercialisation policy has taken the core position of industrial policies of many countries. Considering the importance of technology commercialisation in retaining competitiveness and securing jobs, the above suggests that undertaking innovative activities and succeeding in these efforts is integral to the future growth and development of SMMEs, and in turn to the South Africa’s economy. 

Shinga also added that while two thirds of SMMEs engaged in innovative activities, only one out of four succeeded in bringing their innovative products (goods or services) to the market.

She added that the National System of Innovation (NSI) has been in existence for over a decade, to stimulate and support innovation. This NSI comprises of a wide range of innovation stakeholders, institutional structures and relationships, laboratories, advanced facilities and equipment, research support, and expanded international relations.

“This implies that the importance and need to improve collaboration and synergies within government entities and among the public, academia, research institutions and business sectors has been acknowledged,” she said.

Ms Helene Debbari of Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd, the company appointed by the dti to conduct the study on the factors contributing to successful technology commercialisation in South Africa, with a particular focus on SMMEs, said that South Africa’s Industrial Policy Action Plan 2013-2016 identifies innovation as the most important driver of long-term prosperity, business growth and job creation.

“Technology commercialisation is also considered critical in creating new industries, transforming the structure of the economy and supporting industrialisation, it is one of the main priorities of the National Development Plan. The importance of technological advancement in enhancing a country’s competitiveness, wealth and job creation that ensue, has been recognised in most of the economic theories, as well as its contribution to addressing pressing developmental needs” said Debbari.

The findings of this study will be used to inform the dti National Strategy on Technology Commercialisation for Innovative Enterprises to be released in 2016.

GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESSFUL COMMERCILISATION

GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIALIZATION

Government can play a critical role in creating an environment conducive to successful commercialisation of any technology and this has even been recognised by Cabinet on 22 July 2015 This was said by the Chief Director of Innovation and Technology at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Nonkululeko Shinga. She was speaking at the stakeholder engagement workshop on “Factors Contributing to Successful Technology Commercialisation” in Pretoria.

Shinga said that many internal and external factors come into play and influence the outcome of the technology commercialisation process. While some of these factors and their respective effects are not easy to pinpoint, government can play a critical role in the innovation process by assisting in addressing market failures and creating an environment conducive to successful commercialisation of new or significantly improved products and processes.

“Much effort is needed to intensify the translation of innovative ideas into new products, services or processes to be introduced to the market and successfully commercialised. In response, the dti has identified the need to undertake an investigation into advantages and disadvantages of different methods employed in technology commercialisation, and develop guidelines for financial and non-financial instruments to be implemented in the country to facilitate successful implementation and exploitation of innovation by domestic businesses.,” said Shinga.

There is a wide recognition that developed technology itself is not the end-result but technology must create additional value through proliferation and commercialisation and commercialisation policy has taken the core position of industrial policies of many countries. Considering the importance of technology commercialisation in retaining competitiveness and securing jobs, the above suggests that undertaking innovative activities and succeeding in these efforts is integral to the future growth and development of SMMEs, and in turn to the South Africa’s economy. 

Shinga also added that while two thirds of SMMEs engaged in innovative activities, only one out of four succeeded in bringing their innovative products (goods or services) to the market.

She added that the National System of Innovation (NSI) has been in existence for over a decade, to stimulate and support innovation. This NSI comprises of a wide range of innovation stakeholders, institutional structures and relationships, laboratories, advanced facilities and equipment, research support, and expanded international relations.

“This implies that the importance and need to improve collaboration and synergies within government entities and among the public, academia, research institutions and business sectors has been acknowledged,” she said.

Ms Helene Debbari of Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd, the company appointed by the dti to conduct the study on the factors contributing to successful technology commercialisation in South Africa, with a particular focus on SMMEs, said that South Africa’s Industrial Policy Action Plan 2013-2016 identifies innovation as the most important driver of long-term prosperity, business growth and job creation.

“Technology commercialisation is also considered critical in creating new industries, transforming the structure of the economy and supporting industrialisation, it is one of the main priorities of the National Development Plan. The importance of technological advancement in enhancing a country’s competitiveness, wealth and job creation that ensue, has been recognised in most of the economic theories, as well as its contribution to addressing pressing developmental needs” said Debbari.

The findings of this study will be used to inform the dti National Strategy on Technology Commercialisation for Innovative Enterprises to be released in 2016.

President of Mauritius appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute

President of Mauritius appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute

PEI will also launch office in Mauritius to run expand science, technology and innovation programmes

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 22, 2015/ -- -The President of the Republic of Mauritius HE Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute (PEI) -PEI will also launch office in Mauritius to run expand science, technology and innovation programmes -HE the President will host the official launch of the PEI at the State House in Mauritius on November 23rd 2015 The President of Mauritius, HE Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, has been appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute (PEI), an international NGO and charity working for the ‘scientific independence of Africa’. Her Excellency will host the official launch of the PEI on an event at the State House on November 23rd 2015 along with Dr Álvaro Sobrinho, the PEI’s founding Chairman, and the full Board of Trustees. As Vice Chairman and Trustee of the PEI, Dr. Gurib-Fakim will work alongside fellow Board Members, Dr Álvaro Sobrinho, the prominent Angolan philanthropist and businessman, Rt Hon Lord Boateng, a member of the UK House of Lords, Prof. Sir Christopher Edwards, the distinguished academic, and Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, the pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon. The PEI’s expansion to Mauritius will build upon its international work to support African science, technology and innovation, as well develop a number of locally focused initiatives to be announced in early 2016. HE Dr. Gurib-Fakim was appointed as President of the Republic of Mauritius in June 2015, following a highly distinguished career as a scientist and businesswoman, including a role as Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius. In recognition of her significant contributions to scientific research, she was awarded L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2007. The PEI’s launch on 23rd November will be an exclusive, high-level meeting for a range of key stakeholders including African government ministries, international institutions, private businesses, local and pan-African universities, and civil society. The private launch will be followed by an expert policy roundtable focusing on ‘Mauritius and Africa’s scientific independence: the role of business’, hosted by HE President Gurib-Fakim and the Board of the PEI. HE Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius: “Mauritius has a proud track record of investing in scientific excellence and developing research. In the future, science, technology and innovation will be vital in creating jobs and prosperity for our citizens in Mauritius and across the mainland African continent. I look forward to helping lead the PEI’s work as Vice Chairman and Trustee, and in turn to contributing to our continent’s increasing scientific and technological excellence, as the underlying foundations of our sustainable development”. Dr. Álvaro Sobrinho, Chairman of the Planet Earth Institute: “Although Africa has experienced sustained economic growth over the past decade, scientific and technological output has not kept pace. Yet, if we want to ensure that sustainable development is a reality for all, we must make greater investments in science and technology, and equip our next generations with the skills they need to compete in a globalised, 21st Century workplace. Along with my distinguished fellow Board Members, I am absolutely delighted that HE President Gurib-Fakim is joining the PEI as our Vice Chairman and Trustee. With her distinguished research career and strong commitment to a science-led development agenda for Africa, the PEI is now well positioned to continue to grow and develop as an organisation, and, crucially, to keep increasing our impact on Africa’s scientific agenda”. Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Planet Earth Institute.

Africa highlighted as a market with high potential for life sciences & healthcare companies

Africa highlighted as a market with high potential for life sciences & healthcare companies

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 22, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ -- Imagine the future’: DHL’s Annual  Regional Life Sciences & Healthcare conference focused on life sciences & healthcare supply chains and enhancing the life sciences and healthcare sector -Africa highlighted as  a market with high potential for life sciences & healthcare companies -As growth in developed markets stagnates, companies in the life sciences and healthcare market are increasingly looking for growth in Africa. This is according to Andrew Mitchell: President EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Life Sciences & Healthcare at DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation, who was speaking at the 5th annual DHL Regional Life Sciences & Healthcare conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa today.He says this trend calls for global industry players to adopt smarter strategies in order to operate successfully across the continent. According to the Africa: A continent of opportunity for pharma patients1 report by McKinsey & Company, the value of Africa’s pharmaceutical industry jumped to $20.8bn in 2013 from just $4.7bn a decade earlier, and will be worth $40bn to $65bn by 2020. It also reports that between 2013 and 2020 prescription drugs are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6% in Africa, generics at 9%, over-the-counter medicines at 6%, and medical devices at 11%. Mitchell says that when it comes to transporting medicines across Africa, there are many common challenges that the industry experiences, such as ensuring temperature-controlled environments in accordance to Good Distribution Practice regulations, cost efficiency, trade compliance and regulations, and innovation for continuous improvement – of which all are key to success. “We wanted to address changes affecting our industry at the conference, and discuss how the industry can adopt the best supply chain strategies to capitalize on Africa’s growth potential and achieve regulatory compliance,” says Mitchell. The conference hosted representatives from leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to discuss the latest trends, innovations and solutions impacting the Life Sciences supply chain, with a specific focus on Africa as a region with high growth potential. Hennie Heymans, Managing Director of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, says that logistics has long been considered a key supporting function within the life sciences sector, but that its importance is rapidly growing in Africa due to the increasing relevance of pharmaceuticals in emerging markets. He says that there are various trends that are shaping the sector, one of which is urbanization. “DHL anticipates pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to expand their capabilities into major African cities, eventually to emerging cities and even rural areas, and with this, there will be various approaches to distribution and logistics.” Heymans adds that e-commerce is also fundamentally transforming the supply chains for business-to-consumer (B2C)/ over the counter (OTC) life sciences markets, such as cosmetics, vitamins, contact lenses and nutrition, as well as business-to-business (B2B) markets, such as diagnostics and lab supplies. “It is believed that life science manufacturers will build up more direct-distribution channels to the end consumer, and will either develop their own e-commerce operations or distribute their products via third-party platforms.” Heymans says that the changes within the market and decentralised supply chains will lead to new transportation routes. “In certain parts of Africa, supply and distribution chain mechanisms still pose challenges, which range from inadequate or undeveloped infrastructures to a country’s specific regulations. Due to more complex supply chains, policy makers worldwide are enforcing stricter regulations for manufacturing and logistics, and customs clearance times and potential regulatory delays can influence a product’s ability to reach a laboratory or customer.” For pharmaceutical and medical device manufactures to gain a competitive advantage in Africa they need to have the ability to innovate and adapt to new regulatory standards and the distribution requirements of products, says Heymans. “Providers wanting to capitalise on the continent’s growth in this market should seek to partner with local providers who are able to successfully implement and manage complex supply chains while navigating the continent’s complex markets and challenges.”