ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL
In line with SEIFSA ’ s mission , the Economic and Commercial Division ’ s aim is to enhance the profile of SEIFSA by providing input to the national discourse on economic , trade and commercial matters . This is aimed at , generally , improving business conditions in the metals and engineering ( M & E ) sub-industry of manufacturing . The M & E sector is a strategic industry for South Africa , which contributes roughly 3.6 % to the gross domestic product of the country and comprises 45 % of manufacturing . Companies in the sector export 52.1 % of production to the rest of the world , earning valuable foreign currency for South Africa .
Our Economic and Commercial Division comprises a team with specialised knowledge and technical know-how to support and advise companies in the industry on a case-bycase basis .
The Division provides the following services :
• Continuous economic research to understand and communicate industry market intelligence to the members , member Associations , Government and the general public .
• Customised economic and market analysis in support of companies ’ strategic sessions and budget planning cycles .
• Maintaining and expanding the Price and Index Pages ( PIPS ) product as the eminent cost tracking product for the M & E sector .
• Business planning to attract and raise finance for a start-up or expanding a business
• Government Industry Incentives
• Imports and Exports trends
Workshops
• Theory and Calculation of Contract Price Adjustment workshop
• How To Tender Successfully - Beginner ’ s course in collaboration with the Industrial Relations and Legal Services Division
The Division strives to influence the business environment positively by representing the sector in debates and forums about monetary , fiscal , industrial and trade policies . This is done through :
• Direct interaction with the relevant institutions in the public sector , such as the South African Reserve Bank , the National Treasury , the Department of Trade and Industry , Customs , the National Empowerment Fund and many others ;
• Participation in multilateral forums through Business Unity South Africa , the National Economic Development and Labour Council and the Technical Sectoral Liaison Committee ; and
• Ad-hoc research carried out on numerous subjects such as the electricity crisis , or the extent and impact of import penetration into the M & E market . In many instances , the very rich knowledge present amongst individuals , or within Associations or sub-industries is harnessed and utilised in compiling position papers on issues of importance to the sector .
Advisory services on
• Sector economic conditions and outlook
• Comprehensive advisory service on transformation to companies
• Business Improvement
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SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE