Kirby stressed the importance of being globally competitive as other countries were eyeing SA’s automotive export markets. Picture: DAILY DISPATCH
Kirby said the local motor industry was not only leading the drive to increase industrialisation in the country but also employed 407,000 people directly. He said that this number could be tripled either directly or indirectly in the overall automotive industry. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, addresses delegates at the annual NAAMSA Automotive Conference. Seated behind him are the CEO of NAAMSA, Mike Mabasa and the President of NAAMSA, Andrew Kirby. Picture: SUPPLIED
Kirby added that raw material beneficiation such as making automotive grade steel in SA was a priority and he was pleased to hear that the local steel industry was currently investigating these potentially valuable developments. The first area of focus is expanding existing markets and seeking new markets. Last year the motor industry exported products valued at R180bn, which equated to 14% of the export basket, with R32bn worth of these products going into Africa, which Patel said could grow significantly when the African Continental Free Trade Agreement comes into operation next year.
The third is to attract investment into the industry, with the aim of increasing localisation substantially at SA’s seven original equipment manufacturers and component manufacturers. The government is supporting this drive and to this end the next government investment conference will be held from November 5-7.