Next week Mike Butler and Roger Cooper will join 300 Mellon Educate volunteers who are travelling to Cape Town to renovate and improve facilities at 3 schools in Khayelitsha, South Africa’s second largest township and an area of great deprivation.  In just under a week, new classrooms, kitchens, a science laboratory, playgrounds and sports facilities will be built and upgraded benefitting a total of 3,650 learners currently attending the schools – Sosebenza Primary School, Usasazo High School and Sobambisana Primary School.

Many of this year’s Building Blitz volunteers are from large corporations based in the UK and Ireland including Oracle, Google, Linklater’s LLP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and McDonald Butler.

Each volunteer has personally raised approximately 4000 euros ZAR 60,000 to participate in the organisation’s annual Building Blitz, a sizeable proportion of which goes towards building materials for the schools as well as towards Mellon Educate’s school based programme which commences in each school post building works and in partnership with both the school management and the Western Cape Education Department.  Mellon Educate provides holistic support over a 5-yr period and thereafter advisory mentorship and guidance.

Panelists:

Arnold Ekpe
Former Group CEO of Ecobank & Former Chairman of Atlas Mara

Graham Wrigley
Chairman of CDC Investment Works
&
Aida Ndiaye 
ALA Alumna, University of Oxford graduate and Policy Analyst at Facebook

Hosted by Lord Michael Hastings
Chancellor of Regents University & KPMG Global Head of Corporate Citizenship

Wednesday November 29, 2017,  6 pm for 6:30 pm
Regent’s Conferences & Events
Regent’s University London, Inner Circle,
Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NS

RSVP HERE

The Wilderness Foundation UK and its Patron Bruce Little invite you to an evening viewing of a collection of bronze sculpture

Self-taught, instinctual, Bruce Little sculpts to capture the spirit of the wild African creatures he has observed and guarded for most of his life. His technique captures the essential movement and attitudes of his subjects.

Born in South Africa, Bruce developed an early passion for the African wilderness through his childhood spent in the bushveld. He became a conservationist and professional game ranger, working at the famous private game reserves of Londolozi and Singita in the South African bushveld. For the following ten years he lived on a private conservation project in the Eastern Cape where he restored Hopewell, a former beef and sheep ranch, to its original wilderness state. This included the reintroduction of indigenous wildlife to the reserve. The twenty years spent in the wilderness has given Bruce invaluable insight into his subjects he holds so dear.

Venue: Mall Galleries, The Mall, St James’s London SW1
Date: 7th or 9th November 2017 – RSVP
Time: 6.30 drinks

RSVP to [email protected]

Notes on Presentations on Legal Protection and GDPR by Charmaine Hast, Partner and Head of the Family Department and James Castro-Edwards, Partner and Head of Data Protection respectively at Wedlake Bell (WB) LLP on 16 October, 2017 at the offices of Wedlake Bell.

Ms Sharon Constançon, Chairman of the South African Chamber of Commerce (SACC) opened proceedings and, after welcoming the audience, introduced the speakers.

Protect Your Business/Protect Yourself

Charmaine addressed a number of issues around contract law, explaining that her role was much concerned with the private aspects of wealth preservation.  The WB Private Client Group provides a range of services concerned with family, taxation and cross border issues.  Her ‘taster menu’ for the evening focused on the following areas, which are specialist areas for the Family Department at Wedlake Bell:

• Immigration;
• Private Client;
• Family Law; and
• Residential Conveyancing

Charmaine referred to South African, as well as to UK law/issues and noted the importance of:

• Structuring one’s affairs in the best ways to enable non-UK firms to capitalise on reliefs and tax advantages for employees working in the UK;
• Understanding the processes for the right to work or remain in the UK, and within this, the different circumstances that may apply in relation to personal taxation for returners to UK and those who do not own a home in the UK;
• Timings, in relation to sales of assets to provide a gain; tax breaks in relation to assets held in different countries – the point being to plan well ahead and dispose of assets where necessary to reduce the tax burden in the country of origin;
• Offshore trusts in relation to movement between two countries and the potential of trustees to expose a company to UK tax – there is a need to start in UK with a clean capital account;
• Ensuring that Wills are written to ensure that overseas assets are protected. If assets are within South Africa, for example, they are dealt with in that country.

Charmaine also informed the audience about immigration and the various strands of eligibility that exist , ranging from ancestral visas to immigrant workers, whose company has a subsidiary in the UK, and sponsorships.  Different levels of access exist, although the right to remain stands generally at five years.

Charmaine gave us insights into pre-nuptial agreements, the standing of common law partnerships and the precept of ‘fairness’ in judgements, citing examples of where judgements made through a court order in South Africa could be overruled in the UK.

Charmaine’s note are given in the Appendix to this report.  She was thanked for a very enlightening and informative presentation.

GDPR

James presented a number of slides to bring the audience up to date on this important issue that will have wide ranging impacts for us all.

1. The current situation – data protection

Current Law

 The European Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) applies in EU Member States

• Requires implementing legislation, e.g. The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) Implements its provisions into law in England & Wales
• Applies to ‘data controllers’ established or using equipment located in an EU Member State
• Pan-European: equivalent legislation in each of the 28 EU Member States
• Enforced in the UK by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who may issue fines of up to £500,000 for breaches (higher for Financial Services); and criminal offence under s.55 DPA . Fines may be greater for FCA regulated entities – e.g. in 2009 HSBC Life, HSBC Actuaries and HSBC Insurance Brokers fined a total of £3.2m for data breaches, but subject to higher fines as they were regulated by the FSA (now FCA).
• DPA s.55 – Unlawfully obtaining personal data – a person must not knowingly or recklessly, without the consent of the data controller
• (a) obtain or disclose personal data or the information contained in personal data, or
• (b) procure the disclosure top another person.

There are some variations across EU member states at present.

2. Key concepts

Definitions:

• ‘personal data’: data by which a living individual may be identified – includes Identifiers such as name, address, email address, telephone number; HR file, appraisal record, CCTV footage; entry/exit records; Statements of opinion;  browser history; Facebook / LinkedIn profile; IP address, voicemail recording, travel receipts.

• ‘processing’: defined very broadly – the obtaining, recording or holding, or carrying out any operation or set of operations and includes: organisation, adaption, or alteration; retrieval, consultation or use; disclosure, transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available; alignment, combination, blocking, erasure or destruction. 
• ‘data controller’: the legal person that decides the purposes for which and the manner in which data are processed. All organisations are likely to be ‘data controllers’ in relation to their own employee and customer data.

NOTE: Data controllers: (1) Must conduct appropriate due diligence; (2) are liable for data processors’ breaches; and (3) Must appoint processors by way of a written contract. Processing arrangements frequently involve data transfers outside the EEA – ‘Safe Harbour’ is no longer valid and transfer out of the EEA is not permissible.

• ‘data processor’: processes personal data on behalf of the data controller. Data processors – process personal data, but don’t take decisions – e.g. hosted software (SAAS – PeopleSoft / Workday / Taleo / Concur); data storage providers; outsourced payroll; data destruction (including hardware). Data processors are not legally accountable. 
• ‘data subjects’: individuals to whom personal data relate – – includes employees, contractors, consultants, job applicants, enquirers and ex-employees. Also customers (B2C) consumers, clients (B2B) contacts / procurement, enquirers, suppliers. 
• ‘notification’: filing with the ICO describing a data controller’s activities.  It was noted that the ICO’s role will be under consideration with the advent of GDRP.  At present, all companies need to register with the ICO (information commissioner’s office).  It was noted that the ICO will conduct sector assessments, as well as following up individual breaches, where complaints are regularly occurring.  Its reviews include comprehensive inspections of data records.

Data Subjects – ‘Sensitive Personal Data’ – a subset of personal data that includes information about an individual, ie

• Race, ethnicity, physical or mental health, trade union membership, criminal records and religious beliefs.
• This data requires a higher standard of care – usually the data subject’s consent. Failure or breach of the standard of care can result in an aggravating factor in event of a breach and a greater risk of higher fines.

There must be statements of intent in relation to the capture of, the recording and holding of, and the using of individual data (this does not apply to the deceased).  The nature of the data capture can be as broad as CCTV, turnstile cameras, social media, medical records, etc.  This does not include financial data.

The law includes losing and manipulating data and is applicable to all – individuals and organisations – including government. Up until 2011, fines were relatively low with a maximum of £5,000.  Since then, fines of up to £500,000 can be levied for misuse, loss, etc.  An example of the recent attack on NHS computer systems was discussed – was this preventable?  Could the appropriate software patches have prevented a malware attack?  The loss of >1,000 records constitutes a serious breach.

The issue of having appropriate insurance cover was raised – could it cover the cost of a fine?  It was noted that there is an emerging market for insurance, but only a broker can give information on the range of cover.

3. Principles – DPA and GDPR

1. Fair and lawful processing                                           ‘lawfulness, fairness and transparency’
2.  Specified and lawful purpose                                    ‘purpose limitation’  (capture and use only what is necessary)

1.  Adequate, relevant and not excessive ‘data minimisation’
2.  Accurate and up to date                                              ‘accuracy’ 
3.  Not held for longer than is necessary                    ‘storage limitation’
4.  Processed in accordance with data

subjects’ rights                                                                 [Chapter III] *

1.  Held securely                                                                   ‘integrity and confidentiality’
2.  Not transferred out of the EEA                                 [Chapter V] *

                                                                                                        +‘Accountability’

The principle of holding data indefinitely was discussed.  Organisations must have in place a policy that includes deletion schedules.  Organisational security is key and steps need to be taken to apply stringent security, including encryption, passwords, etc.  It follows that due diligence of individuals handling data is required, eg in hiring new or temporary staff.  Data must be used only for its specified purpose.

A discussion ensued in relation to how certain organisations market through the mediums of mobiles, laptops etc – and it was noted that the GDPR has been designed to tackle irregularities and annoyances.

4. Timing

• The GDPR came into force on 25^th May 2016
• Its provisions will apply from 25^th May 2018. It is a regulation, rather than a Directive and will be immediately enforceable.

We will almost certainly still be in the EU on 25 May 2018 when the GDPR comes into force. As such, the GDPR will take direct effect in the UK and we will have to adopt along with all other members of the EU.

The GDPR has an extraterritorial reach, which means that there is no requirement to have a physical presence in the EU, i.e., a branch, subsidiary or servers. Accordingly, any UK organisation that wants to sell goods or services to EU citizens will have to observe its provisions.

If and when the UK is no longer a member of the EU, it will be considered a ‘third country’ and in order for EU members to freely send data to the UK, we will need to prove that we provide ‘adequate protection’ to EU citizens’ personal data. This will require the EC to make an ‘adequacy ruling’.

5. Main Changes

1. Extended scope
2. Accountability – The requirement to explain the ‘what, where, who, how’ etc pertaining to data captured, used and held.
3. Consent – This must be freely and specifically given by data subjects – particularly in relation to marketing.  Permission must be capable of withdrawal at any time.  There needs to be a distinction between contracts and consent in relation to data usage.
4. Mandatory data protection officers (DPOs) – This is a protected position to indicate when data protection rules cannot be breached, as the use of personal data will become a highly regulated activity.
5. Privacy impact assessments (PIAs) – to ensure that risks are mitigated, eg, security within HR records.
6. Breach Notification – Note: breaches apply to controllers and processors.  Notifications must be made by companies to the authorities and to the persons affected.
7. Enhanced individual rights – ‘The right to be forgotten’ – This enhances individual rights.
8. Penalties

 ‘Non-compliance … shall … be subject to administrative fines up to 20 000 000 EUR, or in the case of an undertaking, up to 4 % of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher. ’

• For any organisation > €500M turnover, 4% > €20,000,000
  • g. TalkTalk 2015 turnover = £1,795BN
  • 4% = £71,800,000
• The magnitude of the fines was specifically introduced by the European Commission to escalate data protection to a corporate board-level topic. Penalties also include compulsory audit rights.

Compliance with the regulations is key – and will apply to the smallest entities, eg golf or sports clubs.  Any action that puts an individual at risk is actionable – and this might include forwarding an e-mail from one person to another, unless its purpose is beneficial to the third party.  Databases cannot be shared with other companies – unless there is a data sharing agreement.  Data must be processed in accordance with a data subject’s rights and their understanding of the purpose for which it is captured.  Under the current DPA, if the purpose is not specifically stated, there is more leeway for the ‘transgressor’.  Affected individuals potentially have a right of action for misuse of private information, following Vidal-Hall v Google.

5. Action to take

In terms of practical compliance – Organisations must establish:

• Who is responsible for data protection?: Board level sponsorship
• The data they hold:g. employees, customers, clients & suppliers
• Who they share it with: g. group companies, partners and service providers
• Who is a controller and who is a processor? Including sub-processor arrangements and overseas transfers
• Appropriate documentation: e. policies, privacy notices, contracts.

Notes:

• In terms of undertaking business with South Africa, a data transfer solution is needed and South Africa needs to comply if it is dealing with companies within the EU. Where businesses are hosting IT systems, a data transfer agreement and due diligence is needed to assure all parties involved.
• Businesses acting as intermediaries cannot automatically provide data to other parties without consent – a contract and compliance with legal obligations are required. Data must be processed in accordance with GDPR.  Intergroup transfer of data also is not permitted with certain countries – as contracts or agreements with data subjects are needed. The disclosure of personal data without permission will be a criminal offence.
• Affected individuals have a right of action for misuse of their personal information.
• Data may only be used for lawful purposes – eg, the use of CCTV is not permitted where malicious intent or encroaching on another’s privacy is the purpose of data capture.

James informed us that his book ‘EU General Data Protection Regulation’ is available from the Law Society.

http://bookshop.lawsociety.org.uk/ecom_lawsoc/public/saleproduct.jsf;jsessionid=CSsqXsM5iIRNy1FT7ERCZgPB?catalogueCode=9781784460778

James was thanked for an excellent and informative presentation.

APPENDIX

Charmaine’s Detailed Notes

IMMIGRATION

The rights of a South African who wants to move to the UK needs to fall under mainly one of the following heads:

1. Commonwealth nationals with UK born grandparent

If there is a grandparent born in the UK (not just British) they can qualify for the right to live and work in the UK for a period of 5 years (any employer, any job) and at the end of that time apply for indefinite leave to remain.

2. Representative of an Overseas Business

The transferee must be an employee and not a majority shareholder of the original business and the original business must remain headquartered and trading overseas. The transferee must be paid a salary. The initial permission is for 3 years extendable for a further 2 years.

3. Tier 2 Sponsored Worker

This is the most popular route for workers. A trading UK company applies for a sponsor licence permitting it to sponsor overseas nationals.

4. Tier 1 Investor

£2 million is required to invest in UK government bonds or UK active and trading companies (but not property development or management companies). The initial permission is given for just over 3 years and can be extended to 5. Accelerated routes for indefinite leave to remain are possible for higher levels of investment.

5. Tier 1 Entrepreneur

£200,000 of their own money is needed or someone else’s money to be invested in joining, taking over or establishing the UK business. At least 2 new full time roles for UK resident workers is needed. Initial permission is for just over 3 years.

6. Spousal

To marry someone with a British passport.

PRIVATE CLIENT

1. Statutory Residence Test

It is important to work out when you become a UK resident and the year can be split if you do not have a home in the UK.

2. Assets standing at a gain

Selling any assets standing at a gain before arriving or returning may assist. The exception is UK residential property if sold while you are a non-resident only the gain from the 6 April, 2015 will be subject to tax in the UK.

3. Offshore Trusts

These should be reviewed on arrival or return to the UK.

4. Domicile

If your domicile or origin is not the UK you may be able to claim the remittance basis of taxation when you are in the UK.

Domicile of origin is not always straight forward and is inherited from your father at birth and not necessarily the country you or your father originate from nor where you were born or have lived.

If you are not domiciled in the UK it is also possible to shelter foreign assets from UK inheritance tax.

5. Trusteeships and company positions

If you are trustee of any offshore trusts or manage any foreign companies you should review your involvement. By carrying out duties in the UK you may inadvertently expose the trust or the company to UK taxes.

6. Wills

Returning to the UK may alter the jurisdiction with governs the succession of your estate on your death.

You need to ensure that you have a separate Will for South African assets failing which if it is a universal Will your South African executors may be forced to return all your assets to South Africa.

FAMILY LAW

1. ANC

South African ANC’s are not necessarily binding in English Law. They may be credited with little or no weight.  Pre-nuptial agreements are accepted in the court of England and Wales and are now often given persuasive weight in the redistribution of assets.

SA: One attorney advises both parties, can be signed a few minutes before the ceremony, governed by statute, full disclosure of assets not necessary.

England and Wales (EW): Both parties need independent legal advice, at least 28 days before the ceremony it needs to be signed, governed by judicial decision, full disclosure of assets necessary.

2. Common Law Wife

No such thing in English or South African Law.

3. Inheritance Act Claims

Despite what is said in the Will, if the girlfriend is supported by the deceased during his lifetime she will have a claim.

Maintenance of Surviving Spouse Act, permits a claim against an estate if you are married and disinherited.

4. Part III

This procedure permits in certain circumstances foreign including South African court orders to be torn up and for the English court to start the case de novo. This is relevant in respect of both judgments and negotiated settlements.

Please click below to view the slides from Sharon Constancon’s presentation at our CPD workshop this morning:

Valufin SMEs Education on Forex 2017

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UK LTD (SACC) TO BE HELD ON 16TH OCTOBER 2017

EVENT: SACC AGM
VENUE: Wedlake Bell, 71 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4V 4AY (Right next to Mansion House Tube Station)
DATE: Monday 16 October 2017
TIME: 18:00 to 18:30 (Networking and Chamber Connect Event to follow)
DRESS: Smart or traditional

AGENDA:
1. Quorum

2. Conflicts of Interest

3. Minutes of 2016 AGM, These minutes will be taken as read and any matters arising from Members will be addressed.

4. Address to Members by SACC Chairman, Sharon Constançon
a. Welcome Members and new Members
b. Thank you to Board Directors, Exco, Volunteers
c. Chairman’s Report

5. Finances:
a. Receive and Consider the Audited Annual Financial Statements for December 2016
b. Financial update for 2017

6. Notification of Resignation of Directors during the year
a. Melissa Powys-Rodrigues
b. Masechaba Mashigo
c. Sam Finnemore
d.Simon Goedhals
e.Francis West

7. Re-election of Directors – members will be required to vote by a show of hands. individually
The whole Board are individually standing for re-election, in alphabetical order:
i. John Battersby
ii. David Butler (current CEO)
iii.Chantele Carrington
iv. Sharon Constancon (Chairman)
v.  Carol Freeman
vi. Michael Miller (current Treasurer).

8. Election of new Directors:
i. Peter Maila
ii.Risana Zitha.

9. Election of the Chairman.
Members to ratify by show of hands, Resolution of Directors to appoint Sharon Constancon to replace
the outgoing Chair, Melissa Powys-Rodrigues.

10. Re-election of Executive Committee members.
The current Executive committee members are as follows:
i. Sean Godoy
ii. Given Mashabathakga
iii.Ntoshane Mohlamonyane
iv. Jaco van Zyl.

11. Election of new Executive Committee Member:
Unathi Malunga.

12. Any other business.

NOTES TO MEMBERS:
1. Attendance : All approved members as at date of AGM.
2. Proxy : We shall submit Proxy voting forms for those who wish to vote but are unable to attend.
3. Agenda Additions : Only items with supporting documentation and approved by the Directors can be included in the Agenda. Such items to be submitted by close of business on Sunday 15th October 2017.

We are delighted to confirm Transact SA-UK’s Agri-Business Deal Mission to Cape Town in
November 2017.

As a valued strategic partner, Transact SA-UK (TSA) would like to offer members of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK (SACC) priority registration and a partner member’s discount.

Transact SA-UK’s Deal Mission will be hosted from Monday 6 November to Thursday 9 November 2017.

This deal mission puts UK Agri business companies (the delegates) in front of SA farming associations, co-operatives and buyers, who are interested and have capacity to buy the products and services of our delegates (i.e. targeted).

The price of £3,400 (plus VAT) includes economy class flights from the UK to Cape Town, accommodation and all ground transport.

We have secured commercial partners to help with FX, legal and export credit finance, to support delegates in successful deal conversion.

Our proposition is tailored to allow delegates the opportunity to request specific introductions
in Cape Town through our trusted associates and closed contacts.
Importantly, to drive successful deal conversion, TSA has chosen specialist partners to support the
deal mission across the spectrum of transaction support including:
Introductory services
Legal counsel
Tax advisory
Foreign Exchange

Interested delegates will be pleased to know that TSA is focusing on key themes with demonstrable market and investor appetite including:
Food processing and packaging including machinery and equipment
Planting primary production investment
Yield enhancement
Environmental and sustainable technologies including water saving innovation

For more information or to register interest in joining the Deal Mission, please
contact [email protected] and [email protected].
This exclusive window to partners pre-registration and discount is open until Sept 15th

Please be advised that the London memorial for the late Lord Joffe will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 15th November.

Please see link for further details and registration: https://www.joffememorial.org/

David Jinks, Head of Consumer Research at the international parcel broker ParcelHero, says the UK will turn towards the BRICS nations, and in particular South Africa, following a ‘hard’ Brexit.

The UK’s faltering steps towards quitting the European Union (EU) are showing no clear direction yet. Britain could leave the EU and still maintain access to the EU’s Single Market and the Customs Union: that would be a so called soft Brexit. However, it is highly likely access to the Single Market would mean accepting free movement of people from the EU to the UK; and that’s a huge stumbling block for many Brexiteers. Which means a hard Brexit is still very much on the cards.

A hard Brexit would likely leave Britain trading with the EU under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules; and that would mean tariffs at EU-UK borders, together with increased paperwork and border checks. In 2016, about 44% of the UK’s exports in goods and services went to EU countries; but under a hard Brexit these exports would cost considerably more in Europe and EU imports to the UK would rise in price similarly.
Small wonder many UK business are starting to brick together an approach to new markets. Some of the most lucrative are the so-called BRIC nations, which have now -significantly – become BRICS with the addition of South Africa to their ranks.

Because of the comparative ease of trading with the EU, British business have perhaps been slower than some other countries in seeing the huge potential of Brazil, Russia, India, China and, notably, South Africa. But Britain outside the EU will be free to pursue its own trade deals; and the BRIC Nations will be a key target.
It’s fair to say all the BRICS have both their attractions and challenges for the UK. How does the UK view each of the nations?

Brazil is the world’s tenth largest economy. Since opening its market to imports in the 1990s, Brazil has gradually reduced its import tariffs and trade barriers. But Customs procedures can be slow, with a significant number of work to rules recently, and some UK SMEs report difficulties with returns and non-payments selling directly to customers.

Russia was the world’s ninth largest economy by GDP in 2014; and has improved to 62nd in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking. Over 5,800 UK traders exported goods to Russia in 2013. However, couriers such as ParcelHero are not allowed to ship directly to Russian domestic addresses; but only to registered businesses
India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. The UK exported goods worth £6.35 billion and services valued at £2.24 billion to India in 2014, and is the third largest investor in the country. However, there are barriers to trade and investment because of regulatory constraints, local sourcing requirements and import tariffs. For example, the tariff on a CKD car kit in India is 125%!

China is the great economic success story of the past 30 years. It’s now the world’s largest economy and a huge and expanding market for UK businesses. But China is not one single market: there are different regional economies and economic hubs. UK Businesses need to understand the regional economic and cultural differences.
So we turn to the new kid on the BLOC(S): South Africa. South Africa has a well-developed economic infrastructure and significant opportunities in its emerging markets. It also has a fast-growing new middle class. The UK is a valued trading partner for South Africa, with annual bilateral trade worth just under £10 billion. UK exporters are also developing ties with Commonwealth countries, and South Africa and India straddle both these markets.
Of course, British businesses are not blind to recent issues in the country, with ratings agencies S&P and Fitch officially downgrading South Africa to junk status earlier this year, threatening higher interest rates and inflation for ordinary South African consumers. And even the UK Government’s site ‘doing business in south Africa’ warns of a high crime rate and poor transport infrastructure in places.

And there’s no getting around the fact that South Africa has a complex import process, so UK businesses would face similar challenges trading with it to doing business with the EU post Brexit. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) defines approximately 90,000 product tariff codes that are strictly enforced on all imports. Customs South Africa (Customs SA), a division of SARS, requires that you register with its office to get an importer’s code. This can cause delays while clearing goods.

None the less, South Africa seems a natural fit with the UK in terms of trading links. UK exports of goods and services with South Africa rose by 25% in the last decade; while South Africa’s exports into the UK have increased by over 5% annually for the last decade.

In January this year the UK’s Brexit minister, Dr Liam Fox, met with South Africa’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies. Dr Fox, said: ‘South Africa is a key trading partner to the UK – a long-standing, strong and strategic ally for the United Kingdom in Africa and internationally. It is our largest export market in Africa; the largest economy in the southern Africa region and a fellow G20 member. South Africa is also the largest recipient of UK foreign direct investment in Africa, accounting for 30% of total UK foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2014, a value of £13.1 billion.’

And Dr Fox was quick to point out post Brexit opportunities. He stated: ‘As we become an even more outward looking country, we will continue building on our relationship with South Africa and today’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss how we progress that.’

Dr Rob Davies was equally enthusiastic. He explained: ‘The UK is a historical and strategic trade and investment partner for South Africa and remains a key market especially for agriculture exports accounting for over 20% of SA’s exports of wine and 30% of fruit exports globally. The UK is the biggest destination in the EU for South African investment, accounting for 30% of SA investments into Europe. Furthermore, 46% of SA’s global investment originates from the UK.’

And South Africa’s Dr Davies was equally positive about the relationship post Brexit. He explained: ‘We must ensure that we have a predictable trade and investment environment for mutual benefit for both parties. As we work to achieve this, South Africa looks forward to discussing how our trade post-Brexit could build on the recently concluded Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.’
So the foundations are in place for strong trading relationships between Britain and the BRICS nations post Brexit; and with South Africa in particular, as an easy place to do business.

For more information on shipping to South Africa and the latest prices, visit: https://www.parcelhero.com/en-gb/international-courier-services/south-africa-parcel-delivery