North West Business 2023-24

The 2023/24 edition of North West Business marks the 12th publication of this highly successful journal that, since its launch in 2009, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the North West Province. Renewable energy is a huge global trend, and the impact this burgeoning sector is having on the North West can be seen in the development of several new solar farms which are under construction. The North West’s strong suit in platinum group metals (PGMs) already puts the province at the forefront of the drive towards a greener and renewable economy because of the applicability of so many of those minerals and metals for the cleaner energy movement. North West Business includes news and analysis of the most important sectors. Best known for its platinum mines, grain and livestock farming and tourism, the province is making a concerted effort to bolster its manufacturing capacity through a dedicated new strategy which includes trying to attract solar panel manufacturing to the province. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. Updated information on the North West is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the new addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.

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The North West Province is ideally situated for trade The North West Development Corporation stands ready to facilitate trade and to encourage investment in the province. The location of the North West Province within South Africa and the African market makes it attractive to investors from both a national and continental perspective. Bordering Botswana, the province is ideally positioned to access the 14 countries comprising the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The North West Province of South Africa is ideally located as one of the gateways to the SADC. The province benefits from the N4 highway that connects the Walvis Bay Port in Namibia with the Maputo Port in Mozambique, running through the province. The North West offers easily available skills and distribution channels imperative for agricultural commercial ventures and plays a significant role in the supply of energy, transport and communications to the African continent.The North West Development Corporation (NWDC) is the province’s trade and investment facilitation agency. It offers the following: • Positioning the province as an attractive investment destination • Provides a one-stop shop for investment promotion and facilitation, investor services and aftercare support for investors • Supports the development and growth of Black Industrialists in the province • Grows trade and exports by leveraging provincial imperatives and competitive advantages • Creating platforms for trade, export and investment for the province • Promotes the Bojanala SEZ as a means for investment attraction • Identifies key markets and facilitate market access for North West-based exporters • Facilitates synergistic initiatives with local and district municipalities Trade and export facilitation The NWDC offers the following services to clients interested in selling their products on international platforms: • Company registration. • Through the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), assist in identifying the type of registration required, supply application forms and provide guidance with regard to document completion and advice about lodging applications and monitoring registration progress NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2023/24 10

SPECIAL FEATURE • Export registration and processes • Customs at SARS offices: assist in facilitating export permit requirements • Access to both local and international market, including local exhibitions, international missions and electronic platforms • Export awareness and development training • Product development • Product certification • Quality Management System • Support: export awareness workshops • Orientation courses • Pre-exhibition training • Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme facilitation, through the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). The purpose of the EMIA scheme is to partially compensate exporters for certain costs incurred in respect of activities aimed at developing export markets for South African products and to recruit new foreign direct investment into South Africa. EMIA offers exporters financial assistance with market research, trade missions and showcasing products and services at international exhibitions. Investment services • Facilitate joint venture and equity partnerships • Provide information on financing options and investment incentives • Provide advice on feasibility studies and business plans • Assist investors to obtain work and business permits • Provide assistance in obtaining suitable factory space • Assist existing firms to expand and reinvest • Assist companies to find export markets for their products • Provide advisory services to improve company growth and performance • Provide competitiveness improvement support • Advise on productivity and process improvement • Facilitate market access to businesses in the province Infrastructure keeps the wheels of commerce going. A new intersection has been built on the R512. Credit: Sanral Beneficiating minerals, especially PMGs, is a major goal of the North West Province. Credit: Unsplash.