Aluvin Securiseal, South Africa's largest manufacturer and distributor of specialist security seals, is expected to play a significant role in the 'Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) pilot project for southern Africa.
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently announced its intention to provide in excess of US$600 000 to help fund a pilot project to enhance the supply chain security and efficiency between seaports in southern Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. The announcement came during the USTDA's 'Secure Trade Through New Partnerships and New Technologies (SST)' conference held from 9-11 February in Cairo. The conference highlighted a wide range of new technologies to improve security and efficiency of the movement of goods worldwide.
Kevin Norwitz, Aluvin MD, who attended the conference, says that South Africa and its neighbouring countries are a strategic commercial location, linking major trade lanes from the Middle and Far East and the West and that this investment will help secure vital shipments while also introducing important new technologies to this growing economic region. He says he expects his company to play a leading role in the project.
"Our US business partner, E.J. Brooks Company, is the largest security seal manufacturer in the world and their dedication to the success of the SST pilot project, will have a direct effect on our business," says Norwitz.
The USTDA is taking the project seriously. "Our support for this project underscores the US Government's commitment to working with developing-world trading partners to ensure that improved supply chain security facilitates, rather than hinders, global commerce," said USTDA director, Thelma J. Askey. "As we look forward to increased trade arising from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) and the potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and the Southern African Customs Union, USTDA is pleased to partner a variety of African and international partners (including E.J. Brooks Co and Aluvin), to help build Africa's capacity to take advantage of new opportunities."
This initial investment in the SST pilot project follows similar projects focusing on tradelanes between the United States and larger US trading partners in Asia, Europe and Latin America undertaken as part of the transportation security agencies' Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) programme. The pilot project in southern Africa will be the first effort to apply the same solution to a smaller but strategic trading partner and reflects the potential for growth in trade as a result of AGOA and the ongoing FTA negotiations with the South African Customs Union.
In essence, the project will promote African compliance with international transportation security standards to facilitate trade capacity on the continent. Because South Africa is a participant in the US Government's container security initiative, this project will serve to extend transportation security from South African ports further north and throughout Southern Africa.
Norwitz says that this is a relevant and exciting initiative. "The security environment has undergone a metamorphosis since 9/11 and unless South African companies adapt to the changing requirements, they face the risk of heavy financial losses when transporting goods overseas."
For more information contact Kevin Norwitz, Aluvin Securiseal, 011 825 6123, [email protected]
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