By. P. Sarojini
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CWBN)_ The government of South Africa encouraged the consumers to buy local goods for this festival season, as it could contribute to the country’s economy, which had been impacted by the pandemic outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in closure of international trade and imports and exports. This on the other hand improved the local businesses in the country. In an attempt to revive the local businesses, the government urged the people to prefer buying local goods than imports for this festival season.
A proud South African said that people who opt for local goods than imports will indirectly contribute to improve the South African economy. He said, “People who loosen their purse strings during the upcoming holiday season and buy local instead of imported products could help improve South Africa’s economic outlook by making a dent in the R1.1 trillion per annum presently spent on imports.”
The practice of buying local goods will build a strong base for the domestic job market as well as restore the South African businesses. Additionally, this will also contribute Two percent to the country’s GDP.
A South African Chief Executive Officer, Eustace Mashimbye, said that the pandemic had affected small-scale businesses severely and that this festival season’s spending will restore their businesses. He said, “Although 2020 has been tough and the COVID-19-induced economic malaise which contributed to a 48.9% drop in household spending, the festive season’s direct spending could help the hotel, restaurant, and recreational sector, where income plunged by 99.9%. It is here that spending could immediately help the sector regain some of its lost ground.”
Mashimbye said that our fancy towards imported products and lack of demand for local products are affecting our local manufacturers, where nearly six people per day end up loosing their job. He said, “Purchasing locally-made clothing instead of items made in Asian countries would help the local textile and clothing industries, in which about six people a day lose their jobs.”
In South African tradition, the time between November to January is considered as the festive season. It is during this time the South Africans spend the most and the retail sales also boost. Consumers are also advised to check the made-in labels before purchasing and prefer buying local products. As export and import activities were closed during the pandemic, the sales of local goods increased due to lack of imported products.
Mashimbye said that the practice of buying local goods should be continued in the future as well, which will eventually contribute to the economy too. He said, “This had the effect of introducing local buyers to the high-quality local options available at retail outlets. We need to emphasize that our economy and people need this buying trend to continue. If we can make the return to local goods permanent, we will benefit.”
Mashimbye added that this is the best time to focus on improving the sales of local goods and that people should work in coordination with the government. He said, “There is no time like the present. As our ‘game time’ campaign emphasizes, the time for buying local is more important than ever. We are in the second half of the game; we need action if we are to win and build a strong future. We need committed, proud South Africans to take action through their purses and wallets.”
