China
The second largest provincial economy in the country, KwaZulu-Natal’s gross domestic product per region (GDPR) has grown steadily since 1995, the year provincial economic statistics were first published – with peak growth of 5.9% recorded in 2007 (before sliding moderately in 2009). The province has consistently grown faster than the national economy since 2000, boasting an estimated real GDPR of R394bn per annum and contributing a solid 16% to the country’s output.
Japan
The industry employs more than 7 000 people in vehicle manufacturing operations and almost 28 000 people in the vehicle retail sector. There are also a number of vehicle component manufacturers based in KwaZulu-Natal with a total annual turnover of R9.5 billion, which employs around 13 500 workers. The key automotive player in the Province, Toyota South Africa, which has been the market leader for the past 26 years, produced a total of 125 000 units in 2005. It is supported by a sophisticated components' sector with strongly developed national and international linkages. Toyota is the number one selling vehicle brand in South Africa, and is gearing up for a major vehicle export programme. Toyota says its programme to enter the export market will see it achieve a production capacity of 200000 units annually by 2007, of which around 80000 will be sold locally, leaving 112000 for export. The current production capacity of Toyota SA's plant in Durban is in excess of 100 000 vehicles annually. This is set to expand to 220 000 units per annum by 2008. The South African operation now exports built up units to both Australia and Europe.
South Korea
KwaZulu-Natal provides nearly a third of the country's plastics requirements. This industry, which uses 150 000 tons of polymer a year, consists of mainly small and medium size companies. The most challenging concern presently experienced by the plastics industry in South Africa is the cost of raw materials linked to the crude-oil price, which has risen dramatically and quickly in the last several years. However, plastics still remain cost-effective products, as the industry has managed to engineer its way around the escalating price. KwaZulu-Natal provides nearly a third of the country's plastics requirements. This industry, which uses 150 000 tons of polymer a year, consists of mainly small and medium size companies. The most challenging concern presently experienced by the plastics industry in South Africa is the cost of raw materials linked to the crude-oil price, which has risen dramatically and quickly in the last several years. However, plastics still remain cost-effective products, as the industry has managed to engineer its way around the escalating price.
India
The SA clothing and textile industry have suffered massive erosion due to increased importation of these items into the country, KwaZulu-Natal being one of the hardest-hit by this development. Nonetheless, the province has unsurpassed skill in this area/activity and presents massive opportunities for investments in the sector. Some pockets of the domestic activity in this industry are still doing exceptionally well with local designers increasingly invited to design and develop attire for top-end activities/persons. There are a few very large manufacturers, but the majority of clothing manufacturers fall into the medium sized category (50 to 200 employees) and there are approximately 400 SMME concerns, which fulfill the role of sub-contractors to the rest of the industry. This latter group also supplies the informal sector, which is growing rapidly.
United States of America
Social development and improved economic performance depend on gains in public sector delivery, restructuring of state enterprises and more vigorous capital formation. Apart from shaking effects of the 2008/09 Global Economic slowdown, South Africa has achieved a level of macro-economic stability not seen in the country for many years. Such advances create opportunities for real increases in expenditure on social services, and reduce the costs and risks for all investors, laying the foundation for increased investment and growth. Other sub-sectors that have a potential for development include the education and training services, which has to be strategic in nature. South Africa has to focus and provide resources for training people in those areas of need, side by side with general education. The country requires skilled people - engineers, accountants, actuaries, scientists, teachers, medical staff, as well as farmers, who are all essential for growth.
Europe
The South African building industry is an active and vibrant part of our economy. In combination with economic growth and the national/provincial government's infrastructure thrust, major refurbishment projects have occurred in city centres and around KwaZulu-Natal. The tenacity of this sector was proved when it delivered all infrastructure necessary for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ first such spectacle. The infrastructure, which was seen by sceptics as behind schedule & infeasible, was delivered well in time for the country hosting of the most popular football event with the King Shaka International Airport opening doors just above a month earlier than required. While the setting/ending of the boom years of before 2010 FIFA World Cup™ may have left a dent in the phenomenal growth of this sector, the sector remains poised to take advantage of eminent opportunities presented by growing globalisation and South Africa and Africa's thirst to become a meaningful part of the global village. In fact, SA companies are some of the champions in paving the way in some of Africa's dare-go areas. The infrastructure development being the first key to unlocking potentials in those areas.
South East Asia
Operators in the restaurant and take-away franchise sector have weathered the financial downturn better than their independent counterparts, pointing to some of the strengths of franchising as a system of business. Participants in the market benefited from the high level of support on offer from franchisors, and from the brand recognition and perceived value-for-money that franchised outlets offer consumers. However the downside, participants in the franchise industry face challenges in accessing finance which may have been exacerbated during the recession owing to caution on the part of the banks. Moving out of the recession, the sector is on the brink of having to deal with the implications of the new Consumer protection Act which may be at odds with the manner in which the sector is designed to function. Within this context of strengths and challenges, there has been much corporate activity in South Africa’s restaurant and take-away franchise environment, with major player Famous Brand having acquired several new franchise systems in the recent months.
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