Julius Steyn, CEO della Mochron Investments, è presidente del World Trade Center di Johannesburg. Il Mochron Office for International Trade è una struttura di grande importanza strategica che ha l’obiettivo primario di sviluppare le attività commerciali in Africa fornendo i suoi servizi ai WTCs di Johannesburg e Cape Town. Per raggiungere quest’obiettivo ha richiesto e ottenuto altre dieci licenze per rendere operativi altrettanti WTCs nell’Africa subsahariana, nell’ottica di affermare il brand del WTC e soprattutto di fornire il potenziale necessario a costruire una rete che operi al massimo livello nella gestione strategica dei rapporti commerciali, economici e finanziari. Questo ambizioso progetto si basa sulla visione dell’enorme potenziale di crescita del continente africano, tema affrontato da Mr. Steyn nell’intervista che ci ha gentilmente concesso in vista della sua partecipazione al meeting che si terrà in Basilicata.

Globalization is the main keyword of the new world market philosophy. How this global economic trend will affect the future of trade and business relationships?
Globalization and the speed at which it is growing in the developed world will advertently require more liberation of trade agreements between first world countries as communications and technology systems increases which results in more intensified (quicker & faster) trade activities between countries. The potential negative impact of Globalization on Africa is that it is almost impossible for Africa to leapfrog into the current communication and technology infrastructure of the developed world, which would result in an ever widening poverty gap to the population of Africa. The introduction of the World Trade Centers in Africa, introduces that level of technology in communication, finance, trade knowledge and trade efficiencies, that aims to achieve (a) an increase in trade with Africa and reducing the poverty gap and (b) to provide a ‘safe’ investment platform for international companies to participate in the phenomenal and untapped growth rates of Africa. Africa does not need more aid but smarter aid and the World Trade Centers in Africa are inviting business persons in the developed economies to participate in its growth.

Your primary goals as WTC South Africa’s president are to develop trade in Africa by enhancing import/export dynamics and improve the international trading capacity. What can you tell us about this?
From an investment perspective there are only a few growth areas left in the world, and there is only one growth continent left – Africa. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, Africa’s GDP is set to grow from US$1.6 Trillion to more than US$ 2.6 Trillion by 2020. The top four GDP growth countries for the next 10 years are in Africa; Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana (all in excess of 9.5% annualized growth rates). The growth forecast of the combined Africa consumer spend is estimated to exceed 90% and rise to US$ 1.4 Trillion during the same period. This gives an immense business opportunity for the developed world to tap into this growth. The World Trade Centers in Africa aims to strike a balance between developing this new consumer driven African economy and its participation in the developed world economy. A 1% increase in trade with Africa can contribute US$ 70 Billion to the combined African economy, this translates to 3 times more than the annual G8 donations and 16% more than Africa needs to escape poverty. The World Trade Centers have significant local government support in the regions that it operate, the objective of this support is to reduce the import/export frustrations at entry points and to increase the trade efficiencies reducing cost and time to entry markets.

Do you think that a stronger connection between Italy and Africa could come useful for both realities?
Italy’s largest export partner is Germany and its smallest export partners are situated in Africa with South Africa being the largest. There are 47 untapped countries for Italian companies to expand business operations into. The World Trade Centers of Africa is geared to provide a ‘safe’ landing into Africa by identifying suitable trade partners, secure government support and provide a first world on the ground support infrastructure. Italy, due the global economic crises, has lost almost US$ 200 Billion in foreign trade revenue (2008 -2010) with its existing trade partners. Italian manufacturers and producers of specifically engineering and production equipment should consider the opportunities opening up across Africa as possible new markets. In my view the Italian government is under pressure to increase its aid donations to Africa, a better way would be to fund/subsidize Italian business who wishes to enter the African markets through established and trusted institutions such as the World Trade Centers in Africa. The reciprocal effect will have a long term growth effect on both the Italian and African economies.

What do you think about our country and about this project?
Italy has always been absolute visit from a tourism perspective, this implies the view from abroad is tourism orientated – I think Italy ranks 5th in the world in terms of number of visitors. This project highlights how a small regional economy such as Basilicata can be focused upon and highlighted to the rest of the world not only as a tourism destination but also with the recent discovery of oil the ancillary and spin-off business opportunities that could stimulate the local and national economy of Italy. I am therefore thankful and privileged to visit Basilicata as part of a global group of business persons who could assist in this objective.

Have you ever been to southern Italy before? Do you already know something about Basilicata, the region of Italy we’re longing the world to know more about?
Picturesque, quaint, stunning and unspoiled is what comes to mind when you first look at the images of Basilicata. One would almost wish that it remains unspoiled and just as is. Personally I hope that the local municipalities and business people will strive to capitalize on these unique features that make these the truly unique key selling points of the region and not to fall in the development trap that so many other former East block countries fell into during the economic and real-estate development booms of early 2000

As the president of the WTC of South Africa, could you tell us something about the WTC all-African network’s philosophy?
Africa is able to compete on an international level with its ability to manufacture and provide food to the global population. It has the ability to not only feed itself but to feed the world, it has the ability to turn its natural resources into value added commodities, thereby stimulating employment, literacy and increasing its consumer spend ability. These factors provide opportunities for other countries to participate and to avoid protectionists approaches when engaging with Africa. This vision is long term it is not short term. Our philosophy is therefore built on market fundamentals that will see sustained and coherent private sector driven economic growth for the Africa and its trade partners. Africa is the new market for the developed world at the World Trade Centers we provide the access point for these opportunities. We therefore encourage Italian business persons to visit our expos and trade mission opportunities to develop their own business initiatives and shareholder values in this emerging economy.

What is your insight of Italy’s potential in your country?
Italy’s largest export products are Engineering, Production Machinery, Chemicals and Clothing. My view is that in the short term the first three will have the highest volume and value potential in Africa provided that these are provided with a trade-off or an Italian business development approach in lieu of donor funding where such funding is not possible. I am suggesting a model similar to the Scandinavian countries where aid is channeled via its own business community to provide an ‘indirect’ form of aid to Africa. Africa invests in excess of US$ 70 Billion per annum today in infrastructure development, it is going to import in excess of US$ 100 Billion in capital equipment for infrastructure development in the next three to five years. China has committed heavily to this import requirement, there is therefore huge opportunity for Italian companies to secure a portion of this market.

What do you expect from this incoming?
My expectation is to learn more about the Southern region of Italy, to identify potential business partners and opportunities that can be promoted in my country

Would you have any suggestions to enhance such a high-flying project?
The team that is organizing this event is well experienced and I am confident that they have thought of and pre-empted every eventuality of this prestigious event.