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Introduction
It is common throughout the world
for industries and business sectors to establish national
associations that look after the interests of the sector
or industry in question. Some of these associations
are proactive, while others are less active. Most of
these associations maintain a range of industry information,
statistics, sectoral studies, reports and contact details
of industry/sector players. This information can be
very useful to the prospective exporter mainly because
the information is industry-related (that is, it is
usually relevant and meaningful).
So where do I get this industry information?
Most associations (albeit not all)
have websites and the best way to find a specific industry
association in a particular country is to search for
it using a search engine such as Google. Use the industry
name as a keyword, as well as the word “association” and the
country name (e.g. “Singapore”). With a little
bit of effort, you should come right. Once you have identified
a suitable association, contact the association by e-mail
and ask them for the information you want (or any other
relevant/similar information – it is unlikely that
they will have exactly what you want). Some will provide
this information for free; others will charge for it.
Check out their websites and see what they offer.
Ask the SA trade representative
Another way of identifying these associations is to contact
the South African trade representative and to ask him/her
for help in identifying the association in their host
country that services the industry/sector that you are
in. Most trade representatives will oblige you with the
relevant information.
Try asking you local trade or sector association
Still another way of getting the right information is
to contact your industry/sectoral association in South
Africa. Local associations may either (a) keep global
industry information, statistics, news and trends on hand,
or (b) at least have the contact details of other similar
associations in other countries that they can refer you
to. Calling on your local trade association is always
a good step to take. Even if they have no information
for you, the little bit of effort of calling on them will
have cost you very little in time, effort and money.
Association Finder
To assist you in identifying local (South African) industry/trade/sector
associations, we have compiled one of the most comprehensive
and detailed databases of South African associations/federations/councils
available in the country, called AssociationFinder. Take
the liberty of visiting AssociationFinder and searching
for your industry/sector association.
Click
here to access AssociationFinder.
Additional links
You may also want to access:
The Export Councils
Trade
Associations
The DTI provides contact details for Export Councils,
Industry Associations and Joint Action Groups.
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