From the editor

Well, we’re at number three and looking forward to many more. We’ve got some more country information, statistical advice and a host of other topics for you. We hope you enjoy this issue!

We would like to remind you that the Department of Trade and Industry (thedti) as always remains the ‘mother organisation’ responsible for trade and export promotion in the country. While we try to provide you with all the information we at ExportHelp think you need on a self-help basis, should you require dti-specific help, or sector-specific or country-specific advice, thedti is just a call away. They have a team of economic representatives around the world standing ready to assist exporters break into new markets. In addition, thedti run industry sector ‘desks’ with experienced advisors that can help you with the information that you need. Go on, give thedti a call at

Neels Bothma

Doing business in… Japan

Japan is a vibrant, prosperous country with the world’s second largest economy (approximately 15% of the world's economy is in Japan). Japanese consumers spend hundreds of billions of dollars on food, clothing, travel, entertainment and a wide variety of other consumer goods and services each year. The top Japanese firms are among the most efficient and best-run firms in the world. With 125 million people it's a large and important country. Technologically it is very advanced: there are about 20 million internet users and 50 million mobile phone users for example (what is more, 25% of the world's high-tech products are made in Japan).

  • Doing business in Japan. Why does it make sense? [ you want to do business in Japan? Contact Venture Japan. [ business in Japan. US Commercial Service

[http://www.buyusa.gov/japan/en/doing.html]

  • Japan-Guide.com [ External Trade Organisation (JETRO) [ business in Japan. Jetro brochure [ business in Japan. Grant Thornton [ Internationalist [ differences and doing business in Europe and Japan [ FSACCI – your gateway to success in France

    France is one of the leading EU member states and an important trading partner for South Africa. If you are interested in exporting to France, then the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (or FSACCI for short) is definitely worth a call. Become a member, take part in their lunches, mingle and learn from other members, call on the Chamber for advice and information, and subscribe to their newsletter.

    Click here to visit their website. [ Sources – a leading e-marketplace

    Two issues ago, we introduced Alibaba.com as one of the leading e-marketplaces in the world. This issue we turn to another ‘biggy’, namely Global Sources. Another Asian-based e-marketplace, Global Sources was founded in 1971 as a trade magazine serving Asian exporters seeking markets in the West. Today Global Sources facilitates two-way trade in an electronic environment comprising more than 700 000 users. Click here to learn more.

    SA Capital Equipment Export Council

    The SA Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) is a national export council whose mission it is, is to promote the capital equipment sector on the export front. This is one of the ‘active’ export councils and if you fall within this sector and are not yet a member of SACEEC, we urge you to visit their website [ and join up as soon as possible. The capital equipment sectors involved include mining, agriculture, building and construction, beneficiation or processing, and utilities.

    UCP 600

    If you work with Letters of Credit, you need to know about the UCP 600.