Page 7 - Logistics News - March_April 2023

TH O UGHT LEAD ERS HIP

Economic reforms and frameworks will boost trade by emphasised the need for businesses to accelerate
enabling better access to global markets, promoting mutual digitalisation.
trade practices, attracting investments and further helping
the small and medium-sized businesses currently making With digitisation in mind, we witnessed many small and
up more than 90 percent of formal businesses across the medium-sized businesses adopting cloud computing, which
country and contributing 34 percent towards growing gross has boosted customer experience and dramatically reduced
domestic product (GDP). the cost of doing business whilst freeing up capital for other
global business avenues that air cargo helped to facilitate.
AfCFTA will be a game changer to stimulate intra-African
trade, accelerate industrial developments on the continent Through the air cargo electronic document-preparation
and diversify South Africa’s imports and exports, and, in so and customs-clearance solutions, businesses have been
doing, make trade a key driver of economic growth. digitally transformed, thereby making international
trade simpler and less daunting to reach international
The success of these frameworks coupled with reliable marketplaces and contributing even more to developing the
air cargo collaborations will enable more South African small South African economy.
and medium-sized businesses to grow and increase their
scope by trading internationally. As a dynamic economy of Since the emergence of the air cargo industry as a
the enormous African continent and vibrant member of facilitator of uninterrupted international trade and bearer
key reforms in Africa, South Africa has the responsibility of of innovative digital shipping solutions, it has become
leading the way for collaborative growth. clear that it is a key driver of economic recovery around the
world.
Adoption of agile and future-forward innovation and
technology There is no doubt that these are challenging times for the L O GI S T I CS NEWS
The pandemic demonstrated the value of integrated South African economy, however, the lessons we learn from
innovative approaches to ensure resilient transport today’s industry trends will help boost the economy in the
connectivity for businesses across the globe and further long term. •

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