| SCC FIRST QUARTER EDITION NEWSLETTER 2021 |
|
|
|
It is traditional for us to look forward when a new year arrives – none so much as this new year 2021 as that means that 2020 is now finally behind us!
Although none of the Pandemic situations have diminished, they have been deviated by what is now known as the COVID-19 new normal.
As we endure the journey into 2021, we have no option but to navigate the new road map that comes with a number of challenges and that has never been travelled before due to its dynamic nature.
Currently we continue to social distance and most interactions, like the smile of a satisfied member are hidden by a mask. The most noticeable barrier of all is the lack of the physical contact of a handshake, that once solidified a countless number of business deals prior to COVID19.
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce remains committed, as it has been since 2013, to help navigate this new road map and serve our members and the business community. The SCC wants what is best for our members and businesses, sustainable re-growth for both existing and new members in the future.
The Chamber will continue with our EU Wednesday Webinar while the lockdown remains in place. While for now most of our interactions will be virtual, we hope in the near future we will be back face to face, and “social distancing” a behaviour of the past.
Our successful future depends on our partnership with you, the business owner, the worker, and our valued members and friends of the SCC. We are here to serve you in whatever capacity necessary to help navigate this new road map. We promise to have an open dialogue and be receptive to suggestions and ideas. Together we will succeed and prosper again.
Jose Maria Segurola, President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA and the Spanish Chamber Team: Manuela Sanchez, Sean Hlomane and Jess Jooste |
|
Glue Up
An important SCC objective remains finding better ways to assist our members, and to get the most out of their membership experience.
That is why in 2020 we started using “Glue Up” as our new communication and activity management platform.
In order for you to benefit from this new platform, please activate your Glue Up account.
With this new system, you will be able to quickly manage your email subscriptions, event registrations and membership information, all in one place!
Please follow these links to activate your account:
|
|
| WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS |
|
|
|
| Welcome to Acciona Energy South Africa |
|
|
|
ACCIONA is a global group that develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, especially in renewable energy. It business spans the entire value chain, from design and construction through to operation and maintenance. ACCIONA’s goal is to lead the transition towards a low-carbon economy, bringing technical excellence and innovation to all of its projects to design a better planet. With a presence in more than 60 countries and sales of €7.191 billion in 2019, the company is committed to contributing to the economic and social development of the communities in which it operates. |
|
|
The President Mr Jose Maria Segurola welcoming the Managing Director of Acciona, Sub-Sahara African Energy, Mr Unai Bravo, as a member of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. |
|
|
| Welcome to Esmalglass-itaca-Fritta |
|
|
|
Esmalglass-itaca-Fritta is a leading company for frits, glazes, colors and inkjet inks for the ceramic sector. The company is part of the Altadia Group with 32 production plants, 19 distribution centers and more than 3600 employees worldwide. |
|
|
| Welcome to Global Business Institute of Management and Leadership (GBI) |
|
|
|
GBI is a (Level 2 BBBEE) training institute that believes change can only happen with authentic and caring leadership that is knowledgeable, ethical and value-driven. We support the new paradigm of character-based leadership and management that will result in stronger institutions and a stronger society, that is fairer, more humane and, whose leaders are legitimately concerned about the environment. We challenge leaders to act responsibly in their organisations and to act responsibly in society. |
|
|
| Welcome to Xportes International |
|
|
|
Xportes International is a company which aims to export the best that South Africa has to offer. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources and fertile land, together with its unparalleled natural beauty, South Africa boasts world-class infrastructure to produce unique, cost-effective products.
Xportes International mainly operates in the Spanish-speaking markets: we understand the language, the culture and have developed significant networks within these markets. Our primary market is Spain where we already have an existing footprint. |
|
|
| WELCOME TO THE WORKSHADOW/ INTERNSHIP OF JESSICA JOOSTE |
|
|
|
Jessica is a third-year student of BAdmin Public Management and International Relations at the University of Pretoria. |
|
|
A special word of thanks to Eduardo Arques Esteve and La Casa-Escuela de Español for sponsoring Jessica's spanish course. |
|
|
| Survey - Comment on Critical Skills by the Department of Home Affairs |
|
|
|
As you will have heard by now – the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has released a government notice to submit comments on the Draft Critical Skills List (2020/2021). Regulations on Visa/Immigration are policy issues that directly impact the European Chambers, which would like to represent the interests of our South African and international members to ensure that their needs are represented at the highest level. The European Chamber members must, through coordinated action, collect and submit their subsequent comments on the new Draft Critical Skills List. Comments to be collected by 17th March 2021.
Following which, we propose to meet collectively to review and evaluate common points of contention/ agreement within our respective networks and produce a draft position paper.
We encourage that each Chamber is represented at the sitting by 1 staff member and 1 or 2 company members to represent the views expressed as part of their prior internal consultation process.
Draft position paper to be drafted collectively through a joint-sitting of two hours. Given the approval of the position paper we can collectively submit to the Department of Home Affairs and other relevant stakeholders. The closing date for submission is Wednesday, 31st March 2021, 16:00.
This may have an important impact on your organisation going forward - as such please click on the link/button hereunder to submit your urgent response.
Thanking you for your co-operation. |
|
Transitex Global
Mr Jose Maria Segurola thanks Ms Angela Kostakis from Transitex on the 3rd of March 2021 to solidify their relationship with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce RSA.
|
|
|
We have a new membership benefit! One of our SCC members, Transitex Global, is offering a 5% discount on all import and export general cargo. Please click the link hereunder to access the PDF outlining all membership benefits. |
|
|
| 2021 Budget and Impact on Business Webinar by Mazars |
|
|
|
Do you want to know more about tax? This is a great opportunity for you to attend this exclusive webinar! |
|
*Please kindly note that this webinar is free for members of the SCC but costs R150 for non-members.
|
|
| Headlines from the Future - one year into COVID-19 by Pieter Geldenhuys |
|
|
|
Covid-19, as well as the strategic repositioning of companies and countries will have an enormous long term impact on the future of the geo-political, social, economic, ecological and technological landscape.
Join us on Wednesday the 31st of March 2021 at 11:00 to form part of the conversation.
RSVP: Kindly send an email to events@spaincc.org. |
|
|
Pieter Geldenhuys
Director: Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation
Pieter Geldenhuys is used extensively as a futurist and strategist on the global stage by some of the world’s top business schools (London Business School, Cornell, Duke). He assists numerous organisations in leveraging their innovation potential by providing them with the skills and insights to be pro-active agents in creating the future.
He is the Founder and Director of the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation (ITSI). Over the past two decades, he and his team have guided more than 4 000 students and more than 120 innovation projects within the largest technology companies in India, the Middle East and Africa.
As a public speaker, he has more than 1 000 radio and more than 1 500 public appearances under his belt and has spoken to audiences in more than 25 countries.
He was the previous Technology strategy advisor to the CEO of Vodacom, and Vice-Chair of the Innovation Focus Group at the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Switzerland. He is also a nominated member of the South African Academy of Science and Arts, and Chairman of the ATKV.
He believes the only way to effectively predict the future is to create it. |
|
|
Disclaimer - these dates are subject to change. |
|
| BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SPANISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|
|
|
|
