18 Dec 2016

The struggle has finally paid off for Edcon, after the hard stance and stern refusal by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in offering exemptions and licenses to South African retailers for business lines reserved for citizens, which is in line with the 2003 Trade Act and 2011 Trade Regulation.

A press release from the ministry states that the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Peggy Serame has arrived at a mutual agreement with Edcon, representing Edgars, Boardmans, Can, Jet, Jet Mart and Legit Stores regarding their request to be issued with an exemption allowing them to trade in the clothing retail space reserved for citizens and joint ventures between citizens and non-citizens.

It says the agreement points out that Edcon will facilitate and run supplier development workshops in Botswana on agreed dates, with the intention to educate and build capacity for local producers on product costing, product inspection, quality requirement, factor assessment, fitting retailers fit forms, interpreting retailers’ product brief and on Edcon ideal vendors.

“These are intended to bring local producers to the level of quality that will enable them to supply available market of the retailers,” states the release.

It states that in this way, trade ministry will invite all relevant stakeholders to the workshops, of which the first activity will be held in February of 2017.

“Edcon has committed itself to the agreement that following the Supplier Development Programme, they will increase the number of local vendors beyond the current two and further avail at least 20 per cent of its floor space to local suppliers in two years leading to December 2018,” says the release. ENDS