Category: August Newsletter

Sanlam Middelburg Business Buzz

Sanlam Middelburg hosted the monthly networking event on 27 August 2019. Sanlam Together With Action Coach presented a Business Owner Workshop on Recession-Proof Your Business.

The networking event had over 85 people from various businesses attending. The Next business Buzz will be hosted 19 September 2019 by Eastvaal. Contact us for more info:  Marketing@middelburginfo.com.

Trade Conditions Strained but Stable

Trade conditions for the month of July 2019 remained strained but stable. The Trade Activity Index increased by many index points; it is the second highest level since February 2019; the highest was achieved in May 2019.  The Trade Expectations Index (TEI) declined by 6 points in July 2019. Respondents to the TAI survey toned down their expectations for the next six months, while respondents to the TEI expect all trade activity components to decline in the next six months except for sales prices that may remain lower. The seasonally adjusted TAI (Trade Activity Index) improved by four index points, the highest level since February 2019, and at about the same level as the index in July 2018.

The expected lower sales prices result from the current strained trade conditions mainly due to pressure on business to push turnover volumes. Expected higher input prices (costs) continue to narrow profit margins and lower the return on investment in the trade sector. Lower trade activity caused the backlog on orders to decline substantially resulting in smaller inventory holdings.

Apart from trade activity indicators, several external factors were also mentioned by respondents as impacting on trade conditions. High rental and staff costs; policy uncertainty; continuing labour unrest and industrial action; high electricity and water tariffs, and exchange rate volatility, are complicating trade activity.

The employment sub-index contracted somewhat in July 2019 to 40 index points from 42 in June 2019 while expected employment conditions in the sector are to weaken considerably as the sub-index declined from 45 to 36.

Members interested in the comprehensive document, should contact Letitia Saayman at secretary@middelburginfo.com.

Spooky Nights Are Back!

We at it again, the Middelburg Information Centre is yet again hosting the famous Ghost haunt Tours taking place on the27th September 2019. Middelburg has many original stories of ghosts in haunted locations. Spooky Nights Ghost Hunts are designed to give you a real ghost hunting experience. Take part in the ghostly experiments which will leave you wanting more.

The trail starts at the Middelburg Information Centre, our next stop is at the historic cemetery in Golfsig, to see graves dating to around the Anglo Boer.  Our guide will tell you exciting stories about our local history. Our Tour Guide Tanya is well informed and can’t wait to share the rich spooky tales of the town with you.

If you are not too scared, do yourself a favour and book a spot for our next Ghost haunt Tour.

For more Information contact Mmabatho at the Middelburg Information Centre on 013 2453 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

Looking for Local Suppliers

You can add your business for Free on our Local Procurement Database (LPD), or if you are looking for local suppliers Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) will be able to give you information on over One Thousand Seven Hundred local businesses.

MCCI wants to ensure that anybody looking for information regarding a local supplier, can get the information from our Local Procurement Database.  Also your company will benefit from market exposure. The LPD is an excellent platform to get your company selected for potential tenders from Corporate Companies.

Get your company on our database for free!!!!  For more information contact Njabulo at 013 243 2253.

Corporate Visa and Permit Applications at DTI

In 2016 a dedicated division Investment South Africa (InvestSA) focused on investment. Adding to the investment development pipeline, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has enhanced its services to include investment facilitation and aftercare.

InvestSA at the DTI Campus in Pretoria has collaborated with various stakeholders and National Government Departments and Agencies, to enhance investment services. The InvestSA has One Stop Shops in Limpopo, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.  The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has added its support to InvestSA, through VFS Global and provides a premium Visa and Permit Services Centres in the leading centres in the country.

DHA has opened a Premium Visa & Permit Services Centre for its Corporate Clients and their dependents at the InvestSA One Stop Shop at the DTI Campus, Block F, 77 Meintjes Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 001.  Office hours are from 08:00 to 15:00.  DHA, South Africa, partnered with VFS Global with visa application centres.

Members interested in what is offered at the One-Stop Shops, or need contact details of the various parties, should contact Letitia Saayman for assistance at secretary@middelburginfo.com.