Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Leading Stories >> 1 - 15 July 2003

Export and investment seminar

Investment South Africa (TISA), an affiliate of the Dept. of Trade & Industry, Pretoria, recently presented a seminar in Bloemfontein on the latest and streamlined incentive package (EMIA) for South Africans wishing to export or arrange foreign investment in SA.

Multiple aid for exporters
A business-support programme of the dti, managed by its Trade and Investment South Africa division, Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) is an incentive that partially compensates exporters for certain costs incurred in respect of developing export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into South Africa.

EMIA provide assistance to exporters through:
• Marketing assistance to develop and grow new and existing export markets through Individual Exhibitions and National Pavilions.
• Supporting companies under Missions to facilitate matchmaking, equity, joint ventures and technical transfers.
• Identifying new export markets through market research (PMR).
• Assisting companies to increase competitiveness by supporting patent registration, quality marks and product marks.
• Facilitating growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) through Mission and Foreign Direct Investment Research assistance.
• Increasing exporters' competency and skill levels by subsidising exporter readiness assessment, training and development.

EMIA schemes include national pavilions, individual participation in exhibitions, trade missions, investment missions, primary market research, registration of patents, foreign direct investment research, sector specific assistance, exporter readiness assessment and exporter training. Qualifiers include SA manufacturers: SA exporting houses; SA commission agents representing at least three SMMEs or PDI-owned businesses; SA Export Councils; industry associations; and joint action groups.
Each component of the EMIA Scheme has specific defined criteria. Please refer to the EMIA guidelines booklet for further more detailed information.

Assistance granted is provided on the basis of travel (economy class); daily subsistence; transporting samples for specific events; developing marketing materials for specific events; product registration, e.g. patent registration, quality marks and trademarks; cost of setting up and/or managing an exhibition; cost of brochures; cost of registration and tutorial fees for targeted or comprehensive exporter training programme; and, conducting comprehensive export readiness assessment. Further information about EMIA and EMIA Service Centres can be obtained by contacting the dti Customer Contact Centre on 0861 843 384 or visit the dti website at http://www.thedti.gov.za.