Private Sector Dialogue: Trade Development in 2025 – What can we expect?
SPEAKERS:
- Prof Jan Havenga – University of Stellenbosch
- Trudi Hartzenberg – Tralac
- John Stuart – Tralac
What a fantastic start to the year! Our first EWC event of 2025 was held at the stunning Cape Town Aquarium’s Shark Tank, offering a perfect backdrop for an evening filled with insightful discussions on trade agreements and what lies ahead in the coming year.
Terry opened the event by briefly touching on the potential impact of the new U.S. president on South Africa’s trade agreements, sparking curiosity about what changes could come, as well as an exciting invitation he received to meet with the Minister of Transportation.
Trudy and Prof. Gerhard Erasmus took centre stage, delivering an enlightening overview of the trade agenda for 2025. With a keen eye on recent developments, including President Trump’s executive orders and new trade policy statements, they shared valuable perspectives on how these shifts might create both challenges and opportunities for South African trade in the months to come. (the data shared was just a snapshot – they are still working on a more detailed analysis that will be shared via email once completed)
Some focus was given to the portfolio changes (allocations of non ANC ministers) in the South African government’s new GNU, and while there was some skepticism about its “survival,” there was optimism about the positive cultural shift it has sparked—especially in how the international community now engages with South Africa.
John Stuart rounded off the evening by sharing a case study that was close to his heart—the drone industry and the regulatory changes that are shaping its future. His personal insight into this emerging sector added a layer of intrigue and innovation to the evening.
As always, it was an inspiring and thought-provoking evening, made even more special by our collaboration with Tralac and the unforgettable setting at the Shark Tank.
Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and new opportunities for South African trade!
