Ecco Chamber

Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa

II edition June 2024

Culture Shift

27 June

ITALY- SOUTH AFRICA
ROUNDTABLE EVENT

29 June

PLAY FOOTBALL FOR CHARITY(5-A-SIDE) CAPE TOWN

16 July

UNLOCK SUSTAINABLE GROWTH WORKSHOP WITH PETER ROSSEEL

24 July

BUSINESS BREAKFAST WITH PAVLO PHITIDIS

Chamber's Note

Embracing Culture Change: A New Era for Italian-South African Business

Ciao! The winds of change are sweeping through our vibrant Italian-South African business community, and we’re excited to ride this wave together. Culture change isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the heart of our evolving dynamics.

Imagine combining Italy’s rich tradition of craftsmanship with South Africa’s spirit of innovation. That’s precisely what’s happening! From Italian espresso bars popping up in Cape Town to South African wines gracing tables in Rome, we’re blending the best of both worlds.

But culture change goes beyond products. It’s about new ways of thinking and working. We’re seeing more collaborations, more knowledge exchange, and a genuine appreciation for each other’s unique strengths. Our SMILE roundtable later today which will enhance our knowledge of Italy-South Africa relations will hopefully be the first of several event of this kind, sparking conversations that promise to transform our approach to international trade and open up the door to new opportunities. Watch this space.

A number of buyers’ missions are also being undertaken exclusively by ItalCham to get South African companies to Italy. What this amounts to is not only new products entering the South African market but also that more South Africans will better understand the essence of Italian culture.

Finally, if you are interested in exactly the topic of culture change, the workshop with Peter Rosseel, Managing Director of MCR Consulting and visiting professor at the University of Leuven, will delve into digitalisation, innovation, and transformation. Here you will learn how to combine strategy, cultural transformation, and leadership to achieve sustainable growth and tangible results.

Let’s embrace this exciting journey of culture change. It’s more than just business—it’s a celebration of our shared heritage and a bold step towards a dynamic future. Here’s to new ideas, lasting partnerships, and a thriving Italian-South African community!

Saluti!

Annual global convention of italian chamber of commerce

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Italian Chamber of Commerce in South Africa Participates at Annual Global Convention of Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad

The vibrant city of Brescia in Northern Italy played host to the annual world convention of Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad from June 22 to 25. The Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce was present alongside around eighty other Italian chambers from across the globe, as part of the dynamic Assocamerestero network, all warmly welcomed by the Brescia Chamber of Commerce.

Brescia, a powerhouse in the Italian business landscape, is famed for its robust manufacturing sector and impressive export prowess. However, it’s not just about industry; Brescia dazzles with its rich historical, artistic, and culinary heritage, presenting a treasure trove of tourism opportunities both within the city and throughout its picturesque province.

The convention was a buzzing hive of activity, with vibrant meetings and strengthened bonds between local businesses and Italian chambers from around the world. Participants had the chance to connect with regional representatives, fostering robust relationships within the Assocamerestero network while engaging in numerous associative activities.

One of the event’s standout moments was the inspiring sustainability conference. Attendees were captivated by a keynote address from Professor Robert Engle, who was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2003. Professor Engle shared with the Italian Chambers profound insights on the impact of climate risk on global markets. The convention also featured spirited debates, enlightening roundtable discussions, and a plethora of other engaging activities.

This convention was not just about reinforcing existing ties but also about exploring exciting new avenues for collaboration. It highlighted the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Brescia, celebrating it as a hub of business excellence, cultural richness, and tourism allure. The Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce returned home invigorated, ready to leverage these new connections and insights for the benefit of its members and its network.

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Italy-South Africa Round Table
Bilateral Relations and Opportunities

ItalCham and Comites are proudly hosting a roundtable event today aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing and gathering insights into the landscape of Italian business linkages between South Africa and Italy. This gathering will serve as a platform for a diverse array of stakeholders to engage in a dialogue, exchange ideas, and collectively deepen their understanding of the multifaceted commercial relationship between Italy and South Africa.

Date: 27 June 2024

Time: 15:00

Location: Cape Business Centre:

Alfred Chambers, 2nd Floor, Cape Town Cruise Terminal,

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001

Event is available to all ItalCham and SMILE members.

Registration is Free.

Limited Seats Available

Click the below button to register to become a SMILE OR Chamber's member:

Play Football for Charity

In the spirit of the European Cup of Nations currently taking place, Giovani Cape Town and @italianclubcapetown 's 5-a-side charity football tournament will follow a similar exciting theme. Each team entering will represent a different European country and you can play against each other for honour and glory, as well as a chance to win some amazing prizes!
So mark the 29th of June on all your calendars and get your tickets!

Tickets are priced at R120 per person/ R500 per team of 5. A spectator ticket option is available.

60% of the profits will go towards the @ctclothingguild, an amazing organisation dedicated to providing new warm clothing and blankets for the homeless during Cape Town's very cold winters. The other 40% will go towards @vitadisport_actionsoccer ⚽️

Click the link to purchase the ticket:

https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Performance.aspx?itemid=1547999462

For more information contact @GIOVANI_CAPETOWN

You are invited to participate in the "Unlock Sustainable Growth" Workshop, promising an enriching exploration of strategy, culture, and leadership. This insightful event will be held at the prestigious Henley Business School, Rivonia, and will be hosted by MCR Consulting.

Date: Tuesday, 16 July

Time: 8:30 AM for registration & light breakfast

Workshop: 9:00–10:30 AM

(includes presentation and Q&A, followed by networking)

Venue: Henley Business School, 1 Witkoppen Rd, Rivonia

Prices: R150 (Business Members) | R300 (Non-members)

[excluding VAT]

This workshop will delve into digitalisation, innovation, and transformation, led by Peter Rosseel, Managing Director of MCR Consulting and visiting professor at the University of Leuven. Learn how to combine strategy, cultural transformation, and leadership to achieve sustainable growth and tangible results.

RSVP at italcham@italcham.co.za

BREAKFAST EVENT WITH PAVLO PHITIDIS

There is little doubt that the framework against which global business, and the multinationals that operate in it, have relied upon to win work and deliver profits is fracturing. The fundamental principles that established the framework are being corroded by geopolitics, climate change, technology, economic and social change.

The old way of doing things as well as the old guard need to change to remain relevant and in fact, lead the change to get ahead of competitors. Failing to do so places you either on the back-foot or a gradual death. Think of what Tesla has done to the automotive market and then further, how the Chinese EV industry is already usurping that in the West. Think of Temu as the front attack on Amazon that itself ate traditional retail.

Leaders find themselves caught between rocks and very hard places. Acting with uncertain or insufficient information opens the door to mistakes, cost and reputational harm. Yet, acting after certainty has been attained is likely to find you on the back-foot eroding any previously held advantages.

Adaptive leaders need two things to find the balance. A winning vision and a dynamic business model that places them in the front row of changing customer needs and wants will earn a front-row seat into the signals of change. The first responders are likely to be the most relevant to win the market. Lead or be led in response to competitors that lead.

Join business growth specialist, Pavlo Phitidis for a business breakfast where he will share a framework to get ahead of the market, based on 5 elements:

Mindset
Objective
Strategy
Tactics
Execution

There will be time for Q&A with Pavlo, as well as time to connect with peers and colleagues.

Date: 24 July 2024
Time: 07h30 arrival for 8 am start to 10.30 am
Venue: The Capital, Melrose Arch

Price: Member -R250 / Non member R450

RSVP: italcham@italcham.co.za

If your role requires you to lead a business, lead a team and/or work with SMEs, please join us.

SANTA FE BUSINESS FORUM 2024

The Santa Fe Business Forum 2024 aims to boost the internationalisation of companies from the Santa Fe Province by creating a space for business, training, and investment promotion. This event is scheduled from September 3 to September 5, 2024, at the Nueva Terminal Fluvial in Rosario, Santa Fe.

Main Axes of the Event

The forum is structured around three fundamental axes to achieve its objectives:

1. International Business Forum
2. Auditorium with Specialized Presentations, Training, and Education
3. Investment Promotion Forum

1. International Business Forum
The business forum will feature buyers from over 30 countries, engaging with multiple sectors of the provincial productive network. Approximately 200 foreign companies and 800 Santa Fe companies are expected to participate. The forum will utilize a state-of-the-art digital platform for matching companies and scheduling meetings. Participants will be provided with international flights, internal transfers, hotels, and a welcome dinner free of charge. Coffee service will be available during meeting times.

Selected Productive Sectors:

- Food: Legumes, Honey, Meat, Dairy products, Flour, Breaded foods, Oils, Alcoholic beverages
- Chemicals: Pharmaceuticals, Plastics, Rubber Industry
- Clothing: Textiles, Footwear
- Machinery: Dairy, Refrigeration, Feeding
- Automotive and Auto Parts
- Agriculture: Machinery, Agroparts, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Products
- Knowledge Economy: AGTech, Biotech, Tics, Video games
- Construction: Furniture, Construction machinery, Decoration
- Biofuel

2. Auditorium with Specialized Presentations, Training, and Education
The auditorium will host seminars and conferences on various current issues in international trade. Specialized speakers from the Argentine Chancellery, BID, AAICI, and the EU will address topics such as:

- Barriers to trade
- European regulations on deforestation
- Carbon footprint
- Halal and Kosher certifications
- Organic products
- Waterways and ports
- Free Trade Zones

Training sessions will cover:

- Export processes
- International logistics
- Exchange regulations
- Customs regimes

3. Investment Promotion Forum
This forum will facilitate meetings with international investment companies, investment funds, and global governmental institutions. The aim is to showcase Santa Fe's potential and present investment projects to enhance its productive and export capacity, focusing on areas like ports, airports, free trade zones, and logistics infrastructure. There will also be an emphasis on seed capital management for technology-based start-ups and knowledge-based services.

For more information email :

italy@italcham.co.za or stefano@italrosario.com.

WELCOMING A NEW MEMBER

Super Group Dealerships is the dealership division of Super Group Pty Ltd, representing 29 automotive brands across Gauteng, Northwest Province, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape. Our comprehensive range of services includes sales of new and pre-owned vehicles, vehicle servicing and repairs, as well as financing and insurance assistance.

Within our new car departments, we stock the complete lineup of each brand, ensuring both first-time buyers and seasoned customers find their ideal vehicle model with the right specifications at competitive prices.

Our pre-owned departments specialize in buying and selling quality vehicles across nearly all brands. Stringent protocols are followed to guarantee that vehicles sold meet our high standards for reliability and condition.

For customers seeking financial support, our Finance and Insurance Team handles negotiations with finance houses and insurance companies, securing the best deals tailored to individual needs. As an authorized Financial Services Provider under the FAIS Act (FSP Number 24929), we ensure compliance and excellence in service.

Beyond securing financing, our team advises on value-added products crucial for vehicle longevity and assists in selecting appropriate tracking devices.

Our service departments open from 07h00, offering early bookings and drop-off services to accommodate customer schedules. Skilled workshop technicians provide expert servicing, maintenance, and repairs to optimize vehicle performance.

Customers can purchase vehicle parts at our dealerships for workshop installation or over-the-counter sales.

Throughout the year, our dealerships host engaging events featuring special offers on new and pre-owned vehicles, giveaways, refreshments, and family entertainment. We encourage customers to stay updated via Facebook and our website for event details.

Feedback from our customers is invaluable to us. We strive to enhance their dealership experience and continuously improve our services based on their insights.