Getting down to the business of being in business is the focus of attention in this issue of Fishing Industry News Southern Africa. South Africa is the darling of the world at present and many countries want to do business here including the Chinese, Norwegians and Italians who were keen to meet and greet locals with a view to developing trade opportunities and exchanging information.
From an export perspective, the concern is the exchange rate but as Tito Mboweni, the Governor of the Reserve Bank said at a dinner hosted by the Oceana Group recently, "before there was always pressure on me to intervene to strength the Rand, now there is pressure on me to weaken the Rand!" The Bank is adopting a wait and see approach to what is happening in the oil market so fishing companies should not expect the South African Rand to weaken significantly nor is there likely to be a hasty decision taken about a move in the interest rate in the foreseeable future.
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, meant business when he addressed fishermen at various imbizos in coastal towns. "If you are willing to share there is a place for everybody," he told his audience in Port Elizabeth. "Is what he had to say just popular talk?" asks the small business voice.
I&J International has entered into a business agreement with the world's largest processor and exporter of Victorian Perch and closer to home an initiative has been unveiled to establish the Eastern Cape as the centre of integrated fresh water fish and hydroponic farming in South Africa. This story took precedence over another big aquaculture venture on Lake Kariba - more about this in the next issue. It is a bit late in the day but even MCM has decided to make some changes - 'convenience', 'accessibility' and 'efficiency' are the new business buzz words.
There are two things that fishing companies can hardly do business without - refrigeration and technology. They also need access to regional marketing information and technical advice and INFOSA has recently opened an office in Windhoek to provide just that. If you still don't know how, ask a specialist such as Flantrade to look after your business.
Finally, the art of staying in business is not to drown in debt. One company recently paid off a R8 million loan in just six years and celebrated this memorable occasion with their friends. Remember these Chinese words of wisdom - Do not fear going forward slowly, fear only to stand still.
Editor


Cover Story
Umsobomvu Fishing in Port Elizabeth recently paid off a R8 million loan in just six years and to mark this momentous occasion invited their friends to celebrate with them at the Oystercatcher Restaurant in Port Elizabeth harbour.
The crew of the six vessels owned and chartered by the company were included in the activities and performed a "drive by" in the harbour to the delight of guests.
Umsobomvu Fishing is a joint venture consisting of seven historically disadvantaged entrants into the squid industry who purchased Mast Fishing cc in 1999 - and Irvin & Johnson..