EXPORTERS across the Eastern Cape are invited to enter the 2022 Exporter of the Year Awards event, which is hosted by the Eastern Cape Exporters.
Now in its 27th year, the Exporter of the Year programme is an annual event that recognises the achievements of the province’s exporters and related industries in the value chain.
There are several categories in which companies can enter; these include: SJM Flex Environmental Award; SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award; IDC Job Creation Award; Best Provider of Services to Exporters; Emerging Exporter Award; Best Exporter: Small Business; Best Exporter: Medium Enterprises; Best Exporter: Corporate Category; and Best Exporter: OEM. The Overall Exporter of the Year for 2022 will be chosen from these category winners.
Quintin Levey, Eastern Cape Exporters chairperson, said the contest provided Eastern Cape enterprises an opportunity to take stock of their efficiencies, their relevance in the economy and their competitive advantage. “Exporters and the related industry value chain play a significant role in the Eastern Cape economy and these awards serve as a platform to acknowledge them for their contribution,” said Levey.
He added that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern Cape export businesses remained the backbone of the province’s economy. According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Eastern Cape contributes 19% of all transport equipment (cars and trucks) and 14% of food processing.
Meanwhile the largest positive contributors to the province’s gross domestic product in 2021 remain agriculture, trade and mining, according to the Eastern Cape Socioeconomic Consultative Council.
“I encourage businesses in all sectors to enter in at least one of the awards categories. This is an opportunity to showcase the province’s economic drivers,” Levey added.
André Swartbooi, commercial director of Acoustex Group, the 2021 Exporter of the Year, said that as a medium enterprise the benefits of participating in the Exporter of the Year were encouraging.
“Winning the award increases employee confidence. It has also broken the shackles of the perception that black economic empowered businesses are inferior.”
In addition, the award has built confidence and trust among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), customers and financial institutions.
“We recently received a significant investment to supply one of the OEMs,” Swartbooi added.
Ettienne Gerwel, business development manager at S4 Integration, a software development company and the 2020 Exporter of the Year winner, reiterated Swartbooi’s message. He said the award provides a validation of your company’s capabilities.
“Since winning the award two years ago, S4 business in the software development side has grown by 50% while industrial automation has increased by 30%,” said Gerwel.
Both Swartbooi and Gerwel encouraged businesses to enter Exporter of the Year.
- This year’s entries are now open and the overall Exporter of the Year for 2022 will be chosen from the category winners which will be announced at a gala event, which is planned for October 21 at The Boardwalk Convention Centre.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the Exporters Eastern Cape website at www.exportersec.co.za or email Suzanne Vermeulen, Exporters Eastern Cape Branch Manager, at info@exportersec.co.za.
