South Africa Among Three Key Markets To Join A Trade-Boosting Global Programme Across Africa, Asia, Central And South America
– South Africa, India and Indonesia join the World Logistics Passport
– Global reach of programme aimed at boosting south-south trade expands to span nine countries across three continents
– 81 anchor tenants have opted into the WLP, including global brands such as UPS, Pfizer, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, Apple and LG

The World Logistics Passport (WLP), a major policy initiative established to increase trading opportunities between emerging markets, announces India, Indonesia and South Africa as members. They join Colombia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Uruguay and the UAE in a club of trading nations sharing expertise to smooth trade flows around the world.

The WLP creates opportunities for business across Africa, Asia, Central and South America to improve existing trading routes, and develop new ones, through the world’s first logistics loyalty programme for freight forwarders and traders. It overcomes non-tariff trade barriers by fast-tracking cargo movement, reducing administrative costs, advancing cargo information and facilitating movement between ports and air.

A prime example of the benefits of the programme is the cargo journey from Jakarta to Johannesburg. Transporting high-value, low-weight goods through historically established transport routes in Europe takes considerably longer, and is therefore more expensive, than if the goods pass through Dubai. Through the WLP, traders can expect to save 25% on freight costs and 10% on transit time moving goods from Indonesia to South Africa.

The benefits are aimed at local and foreign producers. Specifically, the WLP process is to work with partners to identify pain points in the trade and logistics journey and then finding and implementing benefits to fix them. Local manufacturers and businesses will be able to benefit from quicker processes, less documentation and less cost when exporting from the country.

The WLP has a proven track record. In Dubai, 12 local providers have confirmed more than 50 benefits which have in turn been applied to over 300 traders, accounting for approximately 50% of the emirate’s trade. Since its inception in 2019, the WLP has generated more than AED 3 billion in total trade.

Mike Bhaskaran, CEO of the World Logistics Passport, said: “The World Logistics Passport increases resilience in global supply chains and removes the barriers that prevent developing economies from trading as freely as they might, which is more important than ever as governments around the world seek to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.”

“Today’s announcement shows that governments and businesses are thinking differently about how goods and services move round the world, and we are delighted to welcome India, Indonesia and South Africa to the club.” he added.

South Africa signs up to spur intra-regional trade opportunities
Improving trade is a priority for South Africa and the subcontinent as a whole in order to boost job creation and support export-led growth. The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce has signed a framework agreement with the WLP and bilateral negotiations with the government. Joining the WLP will be a key enabler of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, and will open up new market potential among countries in the region.
"We are very excited about joining the World Logistics Passport global network as a partner and benefit provider. We believe that South African traders and freight forwarders will greatly benefit from this global incentives program to boost south-south trade." said Jackie Mpondo-Hendricks, President, Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce

South Africa has joined the WLP at a time when the country, and broader region, seek to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. The WLP programme is closely aligned with South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, which aims to increase intra-regional trade and improving trade penetration into fast growing markets in Asia and Latin America. In addition, the WLP is working on increasing routing options to South Africa, opening up a diversified range of export markets to promote trade penetration in fast growing economies.

India the largest economy to join the WLP to date
The WLP now counts Mumbai International Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport), Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (Mumbai), and Emirates SkyCargo in India & Nepal as partners.

As a trade enhancing policy initiative, the WLP is closely aligned with the Strategy for India@75 in its aims to boost national competitiveness, increase the efficiency of India’s logistics sector and build tighter economic integration with emerging economies in South and South East Asia.

The WLP now looks forward to welcoming the participation of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to represent the government’s oversight of local operations, and the CBIC (Customs) as a partner, as well as other regional organisations.

Indonesia the first South-East Asian nation to the join
Indonesia is a strategically important market for the WLP, as it represents a region key to the WLP concept for its fast economic growth driven by manufacturing exports.

The WLP will compliment and reinforce the headline aims of the final stage of the Long-Term National Development Plan (RPJPN), specifically in terms of boosting national competitiveness and higher-wage job creation across all of Indonesia’s varied geographies.

The WLP now counts the Indonesia National Shippers’ Council as a partner, which will provide benefits related to navigating the local market. Last year, the Indonesia National Shippers’ Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PCFC in Dubai to realise trade cooperation, thus the registration can be seen as an evolution of an already entrenched and fruitful partnership.