A registered exporter will be able to obtain services from TradeMate relating to:

• Product development
• Branding
• Labelling
• Quality Control
• Packaging Design

For the sake of unregistered users the following is an explanation of the services provided:

Product development

Consumers are concerned not only with the product itself but also with the way the product is presented. This includes the labelling, packaging and, for durables, warranties and after-sale service. Products for export ought to be labeled and packaged differently than those sold in the domestic market.

Branding

Branding is an important marketing tool. Therefore provision will be made for

• building an internationally recognizable brand
• creating a provincial brand or image so that all producers or at least industry associations could benefit from the unique features of those products and services can be used with a number of goods and services sold overseas
• taking the lead in developing a national image or brand
• promoting not just one producer but the association or producers across the region
• the TPO formally controlling the use of the logo/trademark by the producers and enforcing the set standards of use

Labelling

As labeling products correctly will have a direct impact on its acceptance in the target market, advice as well as information on the labeling requirements of a market will be easily accessible and obtainable.

Product quality control

Exporters will receive assistance with the establishment of product quality control by

• the establishment of high-quality products and production processes
• adhering to commonly agreed upon standards
• making a distinction between voluntary and mandatory standards
• requiring that whenever mandatory product standards are based on internationally agreed standards they must not create trade obstacles
• differentiating between standards related to the quality of a product or service and the standards related to a system quality
• aligning standards with major importers of the selected products
• adhering to an alignment strategy developed jointly by the relevant government agencies, including the TPO, and the business sector
• establishing mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) between two or more organisations in different countries on accepting each other’s testing certification of conformity to product quality standards
• encouraging exporters to get accreditation with the internationally accepted ISO 9000 series of awards.

Packaging design

Packaging serves to protect and sell products, reduce costs to producers and increase their efficiency. More and more countries impose standards and regulations with respect to packaging that must be observed when exporting. The justification for such regulations is linked to the protection of domestic customers.

To assist domestic firms in adopting these new approaches to packaging, TradeMate will set up institutional structures to:

• Provide information on commercial, technical and regulatory aspects of packaging including the latest developments in international packaging regulations and designs.
• Help local exporters and packaging suppliers to increase their know-how in packaging technology and promotional design packaging by providing training courses and organizing periodic workshops and seminars;
• Train staff involved in export promotion and development on how to assist as well as provide technical advice on the use of better packaging materials and the choice of suppliers for these materials.