Government to launch new online portals to boost access to South African-made goods
Image: Independent Media
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic), in collaboration with Proudly South African, is set to launch two new online platforms designed to enhance access to locally produced goods and services.
The initiative features a consumer store named Shop Proudly SA and a business-to-business portal called the Market Access Platform (MAP).
The platforms are scheduled to officially launch on July 1 2025. According to the department, the project is intended to support small and medium enterprises, promote local sourcing, and streamline the connection between buyers and local suppliers.
"These platforms will help boost support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and locally manufactured goods and services and create much-needed jobs and grow the resilience of our economy', Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition said according to ITWeb.
Eustace Mashimbye, Chief Executive of Proudly South African, said both platforms are intended to help address some of the key challenges facing small and medium businesses in South Africa, particularly access to markets.
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According to reports, the platforms will host over 1,700 locally made products, covering a wide range of sectors
"We are harnessing technology as a catalyst for ramping up support for homegrown products and for companies whose manufacturing infrastructure and operations create jobs locally. Through these ground-breaking platforms, we seek to make it seamless for consumers and supply chain management practitioners to source from local companies while also enabling them to meet their procurement goals,'
South Africa's online shopping made about $42.4 million (around R763 million) in 2023. This is expected to grow to $165.1 million (almost R3 billion) by 2030, according to Stat SA.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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