South African, Indian electronics associations ink skills transfer agreement

The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) on Thursday signed an agreement with the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA) to boost business opportunities and transfer skills between India and Africa.
The two organisations would work together to boost growth in the electrotechnical sector, which includes electronics, information technology and telecommunications.

During a briefing in Cape Town, the two organisations said the signing of a memorandum of understanding would open the way for mutual cooperation and understanding.

The industry bodies aim to identify business opportunities in South Africa and Africa, and to assist in promoting collaboration, including the transfer of skills and technology between Indian and South African companies.

Founded in 1948, IEEMA has more than 800 member organisations, encompassing the entire value chain in power generation, transmission and distribution equipment.

SAEEC is a trade organisation established as a public–private partnership between South African business and the Department of Trade and Industry to facilitate the export growth and internationalisation of its member companies.

SAEEC also acts as a formal gateway for public and private organisations and companies that are looking to form partnerships or source goods and services from South African companies in the electrotechnical sector.

“We have the local knowledge of the operations in South Africa and Africa, while IEEMA has the technology and solutions to get technology to rural communities in Africa,” said SAEEC CEO Chiboni Evans, highlighting the importance of collaboration.

“We will help with market intelligence while IEEMA will be able to help us with technology transfer and skills. There is tremendous potential and we’re very excited about this move,” she told Engineering News Online.

The size of the Indian electrical equipment industry in 2014/15 was in excess of $25-billion, with exports of $5.6-billion. The industry provided direct and indirect employment to over 1.5-million people.

IEEMA hosted the largest transmission and distribution event in the world, Elecrama, and SAEEC is planning to collaborate with IEEMA to hold similar events and exhibitions in Africa.