Trade partnerships
Trade partnerships Bravehearts of business New business network connects Africa and Scotland An all-new business network creating cross-continental partnerships for trade and industry between Africa and Scotland officially launched on 6 November – the Africa Scotland Business Network (ASBN). The Africa Scotland Business Network (ASBN) is an independent business network based in Africa. It connects African and Scottish professionals and enterprises to increase the potential for trade and relations between the two lands, as well as to strengthen social and cultural ties. In addition, the organisation welcomes members from other countries who have a real interest in doing business with the Africa and Scotland business diasporas. It’s founding members represent key shared economies in Africa and Scotland including agriculture, agritech, oil and gas, renewable energy, technology, international business strategy, education and more. ASBN works with a range of government and private sector partners such as the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA), Scottish Business Network (SBN), Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise (SE). Claire Alexander, a Scottish entrepreneur living in South Africa and a founding member of ASBN, says their primary objective when conceptualising the Africa Scotland Business Network was to develop a business network collective that could assist each other on the ground in Africa but also encourage African and Scottish business to take advantage of the immense opportunities in our shared economies. Opportunity asked Alexander a few questions as follows: What is the Scottish business footprint in SA and vice-versa? Between 2007 and 2016, South Africa’s exports to Scotland increased by an average annual rate of 49%, while imports increased by 1.9% per annum. Between 2003 and 2016, eleven foreign direct investment projects totalling a capital investment of £24.37 million were recorded from Scotland to South Africa, creating 497 jobs. According to Scottish Enterprise, there are 40 companies in the oil and gas industry alone actively working in South Africa. Which areas are the most promising for collaboration between SA and Scottish business interests? There is a great deal of synergy between Scotland and South Africa due to the high number of shared economies. Both are strong in technology, renewable energy, life sciences and biotech, agriculture and agri-tech, food and beverage, fintech, manufacturing and education. In which areas are Scottish and SA business interests actively collaborating? Scotland’s dominant industry in Africa is currently the oil and gas sectors, and the supply chain companies that support the overall industry. This is the sector that is most ripe for collaboration as Africa discovers more and more oil and gas sites, such as the discovery of natural gas off the Southern Cape Coast. Given the natural gas discoveries in South Africa and Mozambique, Southern Africa is now firmly on the agenda. Due to the expertise of such industries in Scotland, Africa leans on professional and academic training and support from the industry workforce in Scotland. As Scotland is a global leader in renewable energy with targets to be carbon neutral by 2050 – and is already a net producer of clean energy. For example, Wesgro are opening tenders for large scale renewable energy projects to foreign companies and are considering another trade mission to Scotland in Q2 of 2020 with a focus on renewable marine and wind energy technology, and food and beverage technology. What is the ease of doing business in Scotland for SA businesses? As a foreign company, Scotland is a brilliant place to do business. Trade and immigration laws are designed to encourage foreign investment and the private sector as well as government are open to conversations and collaborations to this same end. Apart from being actively assisted by various government departments and agencies to welcome new businesses into Scotland, such as Scottish Development International, companies also have quick access to funding, support capital and development costs. Furthermore, Scotland offers foreign companies a talented and highly educated workforce, providing the necessary skills and talent pool. According to Scottish Enterprise, 5400 foreign companies operate in Scotland – and that’s increasing by the day.The Scottish government have also created a fresh campaign called "Scotland Is Now", which promotes Scotland as a great place to do business, travel and live. 24 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
Mantombi Mapanzela Chairperson - SAWIMIH
