{"id":29032,"date":"2026-03-17T19:01:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/?post_type=news&#038;p=29032"},"modified":"2026-03-17T19:01:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:01:56","slug":"localisation-must-drive-competitiveness-not-protectionism-sa-deputy-minister","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/localisation-must-drive-competitiveness-not-protectionism-sa-deputy-minister\/","title":{"rendered":"Localisation must drive competitiveness, not protectionism: SA Deputy Minister"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Speaking at the Buy Local Summit and Expo hosted by Proudly SA at the Sandton Convention Centre, on Tuesday, Abrahams stressed that localisation should create real opportunities for South Africans while strengthening, rather than sheltering, domestic industries.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is aimed at driving economic recovery and reducing unemployment by prioritising local sourcing and purchasing,\u201d Abrahams told Channel Africa. She emphasised that government\u2019s intention is not to protect local firms from global competition but to ensure they are competitive internationally through quality, reliability and innovation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is showcasing SA products in global markets through outward selling missions, exhibitions and inward buying missions. Abrahams highlighted a new \u201cbutterfly strategy\u201d that prioritises 27 identified markets and leverages the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand local exports across the continent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the current financial year, more than 390 SA companies have benefited from government\u2019s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance programme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Asked about gaps in the value chain, Abrahams acknowledged longstanding weaknesses in enforcement, monitoring and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cWe have an ambitious policy, but implementation can slow down because of non\u2011compliance and insufficient oversight,\u201d she said. She noted persistent challenges in energy and port infrastructure, as well as unfair competition from illicit trade, counterfeit goods, dumping and illegal manufacturing, which have severely affected the clothing, textile, footwear and leather industries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>On incentives, she said stakeholders consistently call for more support, but the government has to operate within tight budget constraints. The priority, she said, is to identify \u201cforce multiplier industries\u201d where one rand of investment catalyses significant economic returns. Incentives must also adapt to future risks, including artificial intelligence, climate shocks, pandemics and global conflicts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Abrahams stressed that localisation must include small and medium enterprises. \u201cLocalisation cannot be credible if it only sustains big business,\u201d she said. Government is working with the Department of\u00a0Small Business Development\u00a0and Proudly SA to help SMEs access markets, obtain certification, gain visibility and become export\u2011ready through training and awareness initiatives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>She encouraged SMEs to explore DTIC\u2019s programmes and funding opportunities. \u201cDreams are not meant to be contained; they are meant to grow and flourish,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&#8211;ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":29033,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[44],"class_list":["post-29032","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"South Africa\u2019s (SA) Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Alexandra Abrahams, says localisation must become a national commitment that rebuilds productive capacity, deepens value chains and drives sustained economic growth. ","published_date":"","news_description":"South Africa\u2019s (SA) Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Alexandra Abrahams, says localisation must become a national commitment that rebuilds productive capacity, deepens value chains and drives sustained economic growth. 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