TIKZN FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and what do they do?
TIKZN is an official trade and investment agency of the province whose vision is to position the province of KwaZulu-Natal as the premier investment destination and the leader in international trade.

2. What is TIKZN's mandate?
To identify, develop and package investment opportunities in KZN
To brand and market KZN as an investment destination
To maintain and expand trade activities
To retain domestic investments and facilitate expansions

3. Is TIKZN a private, public or government organization?
TIKZN is a provincial public entity listed under Schedule 3C of the Public Finance Management Act.

4. Who owns or funds TIKZN?
It's funded by the provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal - Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs

5. Who are TIKZN's Board members?
TIKZN board consists of 70% of people from private sector and 30% from government in particular municipalities

6. How is TIKZN different from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal & Durban Investment Promotion Agency (DIPA)?
TIKZN promotes all key sectors that are identified in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) in order to grow the economy of the province whereas Tourism KZN promotes the province as the tourist destination and DIPA promotes investments into EThekwini Municipality (Durban) only.

7. Who are TIKZN's clients?
Domestic and foreign investors, exporters and foreign buyers.

8. How do you work with the municipalities?
TIKZN assists the municipalities in promoting inward investments and trade. It also collaborates in their efforts to retain existing investments and improve business environment.

Product and Service Information

1. What are core functions of TIKZN?
Assists investors to locate suitable premises and to secure project and operational financing
The facilitation of joint ventures and business linkages between small and big business.
The timeous provision of relevant, reliable information to both potential and existing investors and traders.
he provision of assistance to both existing and new investors with regards to applications for investment and export marketing incentives.
Provide assistance to foreign investors in terms of applications for business permits.
Negotiation of local government incentives on behalf of investors.
Provision of project support and aftercare services to investors.
Provision of assistance to emerging international traders and with international trade enquiries.
Provision of quality market intelligence on various industries and countries.

2. What kind of services does TIKZN offer to small businesses and BEE companies?
TIKZN offers advisory services on export promotion, provides export development (training) programmes, and offers trade leads and market development.
Business to business matching ensuring that international businesses are matched with local businesses.

3. How do I become a member of TIKZN?
TIKZN is not a member based organization however, the organization has an exporters' database which requires all KZN ready exporters and potential exporters to register as exporters. TIKZN also has a suppliers database, should you be interested to become our supplier click here for registration forms. For further information please contact Export Development and Promotion Business Unit and Finance Business Unit respectively on +27 (0) 31 368 9600 or info@tikzn.co.za

4. Can TIKZN offer financial assistance to start up business?
TIKZN does not provide finance, it offers relevant advice on financial institutions that can possibly fund the type/nature of your business.

5. Does TIKZN provide funding for market development, missions, joint venture partnership?
TIKZN offer financial assistance to companies that participate in our outward missions however, terms and conditions apply. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers financial assistance for market development and missions through Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme. TIKZN will assist clients to take advantage of this scheme. With regards to joint venture partnerships TIKZN can assist in forming relationships with possible funders.

6. Can TIKZN help me to draw up a business plan?
TIKZN assists entrepreneurs who already have business plans to target relevant financial institutions and encourages entrepreneurs to draft their own business plans. In addition, TIKZN also assists entrepreneurs who are in the process of developing business plans by linking then with strategic partners who specialize in drawing up business plans.

7. How can I learn of current and upcoming business opportunities?
Visit our KZN Investment Map or click investment opportunities on the homepage.

8. Do you assist with translations when foreign investors visit KZN companies?
TIKZN will assist with translation if the specific investor is hosted by TIKZN but in the event where an individual or company requires services of a translator TIKZN will assist by providing a list of translators, however you will be liable for the costs thereof.

Export Development and Promotion Information

1. How can TIKZN help me to become an exporter?
The Export Development and Promotion Unit provide capacity building training programmes on the following subject matter:
The Export Processes which includes information on Incoterms, Sales Contracts, Letters of Credit, Shipping Agents and Clearing and Forwarding agents.
Product knowledge relevant to export.
Conducting Market Research into barriers of entry.
Understanding Export Registration and International Trade Regulations.

2. How long does it take to register as an exporter with customs and excise through TIKZN?
Clients can contact the Export Development and Promotion Unit, the necessary forms (DA 185) will be supplied, and thereafter a client submits the forms to SARS and the application can take +/- 3-4 weeks to be processed. Alternatively clients can register directly with customs and excise, click here www.sars.gov.za for more information.

3. Does TIKZN offer trade training or workshops?
Yes, the Export Development and Promotion Unit offer various training workshops every 3 months in the following areas of KZN viz. Newcastle, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Durban and Port Shepstone.

4. How does TIKZN assist me in promoting my products to new markets?
TIKZN Export Development and Promotion Unit has various market development programmes that can assist you viz. Export Trade Platform (online product marketing tool), participation in outward and inward missions, and participation at local and international exhibitions.

5. How do I participate in TIKZN's facilitated inward and outward trade fairs / missions?
Should a client be registered on our Exporters database, s/he will receive notification of any inward or outward trade missions taking place. All our inwards and outwards missions are also listed on our website.

6. Where do I get a list of SA trade agreements?
Clients can request this from the Export Development and Promotion Unit and the Department of Trade and Industry website www.dfa.gov.za

7. Where do I get trade leads?
The DTI Trade leads are listed on TIKZN website monthly, and also available upon request at our offices or through e-mail.

8. Where do I get HS codes for my product?
Harmonized System (HS) codes can be obtained from Customs & Excise on (031) 367-6100 or www.sars.gov.za or enquiries can be made with our Export Development and Promotion Unit.

Human Resources Information

1. How do I learn about job opportunities at Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal?
TIKZN jobs are advertised in various local and national newspapers.

2. Having applied for the job, how do I enquire on the status of my application?
You can contact the recruitment agency that details would have appeared in the newspaper or you can contact the TIKZN Human Resources department, if you have applied directly.

3. Does TIKZN offer in-service training?
TIKZN offer in-service training to a maximum of six (6) weeks but it is always dependent on the availability of the position and the need of the organization.

Investment Promotion Information

1. What do we mean by promoting and facilitating investments?
It is a process of identifying and engaging investors to set up their business in a specified business location or destination.

2. How does TIKZN evaluate investment projects / proposal?
We currently use the COMFAR business evaluation model as a due diligence tool in some of the projects that we put on our pipeline.

3. What are procedures for applying for a business permit or permanent resident for business purposes and how long does it take?
You need a business plan, proof of availability of funds (about R2, 5m), feasibility studies as well as the marketing studies for the proposed business venture. All business permits are approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, however TIKZN assists with application and please see the attached document of requirements for approval. Each application takes a maximum of 2 weeks.

Marketing and Communication Information

1. Who do I contact if I have experienced a problem with the website?
info@tikzn.co.za or 031 368 9600

2. How do I enquire about TIKZN sponsoring my event?
Submit a full proposal to the Head of Marketing & Communications for review. TIKZN will partner activities that contribute directly to investment promotion and export trade development such as inward missions, outward missions, and initiatives that promote the TIKZN brand such as conferences, business awards, networking events and publications..

Procurement

1. How long does it take TIKZN to release payment after providing goods or services?
Debtors' invoices are paid within one month of receipt.

2. How do I access or know about TIKZN tenders?
Tenders are advertised in the newspapers and the terms of reference are available on the website under publications and downloads link.

3. What is TIKZN's VAT registration number?
TIKZN is not registered for VAT and therefore there is no VAT registration number.

GALLERIES

Despite the fact that KwaZulu-Natal covers such a small portion of South Africa's land area, a significant percentage of the country's small-scale farmers are based here. Agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal is extremely diverse and is reflected in the patterns of its topography. Most of the world's agricultural activities can be practised here. Due to the good reliable rainfall and fertile soils, the region's agricultural sector has become very productive, and is known for its specialist capability in several types of farming. The Province has a total of 6.5 million hectares of land for farming purposes of which 82% is suitable for extensive livestock production and 18% is arable land.

Types of Agriculture

The agricultural sector is focused mainly on the following:
Crops: Sugar, Maize
Horticulture: Sub-tropical fruits especially pineapples and bananas, Cashew nuts, Potatoes, Vegetables
Animal Husbandry: Beef, Sheep (mutton and wool), Pigs, Poultry
Forestry: SA Pine, Saligna, Black Wattle, eucalyptus, poplar,
There is tremendous potential for agricultural expansion in KwaZulu-Natal. It has been conservatively estimated that if the agricultural natural resources were optimally managed, the present production yield could be increased dramatically, thus unlocking the full agricultural production potential of KwaZulu-Natal.

Social Programmes

The social programs and the government/private sector joint projects that have been facilitated and implemented by the sugar industry bear testimony to the industry's conscious commitment to the socio-economic and welfare upliftment of its employees. The key challenge for the sugar cane industry remains the maintenance of competitiveness in relation to other world-class producers and industries.

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