Комиссия по конкуренции Южной Африки ввела новые правила для сотрудничества экспортеров в 2025 году

South Africans might wonder why export exemptions matter. Exports may sound far removed from everyday life, but they matter to all of us. When South African businesses sell more goods and services to the world, they grow, protect jobs and bring money into the country. At a time when many households are under pressure, exports are one way to strengthen the economy and create new opportunities. This is even more relevant when the world faces volatile economic conditions such as rising global trade tariffs. In the SA context, this is why the 2025 Block Exemption for the Promotion of Exports is important. Issued by the minister of trade, industry and competition in consultation with the Competition Commission, minister Parks Tau made it clear that the aim is to help exporters respond to global tariff changes, support export diversification and build stronger, more resilient export industries. In creating a conducive economic environment where market efficiencies can co-exist with competition law enforcement, one needs to understand the concept of a block exemption. Put succinctly, it is a special legal allowance that permits businesses to work together in limited and clearly defined ways that would ordinarily raise competition concerns. It does not give companies permission to collude, but it allows practical co-operation where firms need to join forces to compete in export markets. For example, exporters may need to share information about foreign market requirements, coordinate logistics costs, jointly market South African products or work together on export standards required by another country. These are practical steps that can help firms cut costs and reach customers beyond our borders. Exporting is expensive. A farmer, manufacturer or small business may have a quality product but still struggle with transport, storage, packaging, inspections and foreign rules. If businesses can cooperate in sensible and supervised ways, they may be able to enter markets that would otherwise be out of reach. The exemption is also important for small, micro and medium-sized enterprises, as well as firms owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged people. Too often, smaller players are left out of export opportunities because they do not have the scale, networks or resources of larger firms. This exemption can help create space for them to participate in export value chains. There are, however, clear limits, as firms cannot use the exemption as cover for fixing prices, dividing markets, rigging tenders or coordinating in the local market. As required by Section 10 of the Competition Act 89 of 1998, as amended, firms must ask the Competition Commission to confirm that their proposed cooperation falls within the exemption, and the Commission may require safeguards. The value of the exemption will depend on whether businesses understand how to use it. For that reason, the commission will host a webinar on August 31 from 9am to 1pm. The webinar presents an opportunity to share important information while allowing exporters, SMMEs, export councils, industry and business associations, chambers of commerce and export market regulators to ask practical questions about what is allowed, what is prohibited and how the exemption can support their work. Interested parties are urged to register via the commission’s website by no later than Monday, August 24. So, the 2025 Block Exemption for the Promotion of Exports says South African exporters may cooperate where cooperation helps them compete overseas, but they must do so openly, carefully and under regulatory oversight and guidance. That balance is necessary: we need firms that can grow exports and create opportunities, but we also need strong competition rules that protect the economy from harmful behaviour. If used properly, the block exemption can help South African businesses work together, reach new markets, support inclusive growth and make the country more competitive. - Makunga is spokesperson for the Competition Commission of SA