Bereng Mpaki
IT is now easier for local entrepreneurs to securely import goods from China after Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) launched the Africa China Agent Proposition (ACAP) facility.
A collaboration with courier company, DHL Lesotho, the facility will see SLB facilitating seamless purchasing of high-quality goods from China.
The offering is suitable for both businesses and individuals who import goods from China.
“With ACAP, Standard Lesotho Bank connects Basotho entrepreneurs and individual buyers of goods with specialised agents and manufacturers in China to facilitate the seamless sale of high-quality goods that meet their full specifications and international benchmarks and certifications,” said SLB acting head of marketing and communications Manyathela Kheleli.
Mr Kheleli said the offering would also arrange for a customs clearance and shipping of goods service by DHL Lesotho. It would also provide between 40 to 60 percent discount for Basotho importers.
He said ACAP comes at a time when international travel is becoming more expensive and highly restricted in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, ACAP provides the necessary intervention to address these challenges while bringing convenience and reduction of costs.
“The solution is an end-to-end offering which also signals the importance of collaboration for the convenience of the customer, through the collaboration with DHL, who are also an international freight forwarder of note with extensive experience in the Africa-China corridor.”
Khethang Ramalefane, DHL’s country manager, said they were happy to partner with SLB for the benefit of local entrepreneurs.
“We are delighted to partner with Standard Lesotho Bank to provide this unique cutting-edge solution for the benefit of Basotho. For us as DHL, we bring expertise of over 50 years experience in the business. Operating in over 220 countries globally, we certainly bring value in this partnership and we are indeed honoured to have been approached by the Bank of Stature, who are the best in Lesotho and Africa,” Mr Ramalefane said.
ACAP is also in line with SLB’s strategy of connecting Lesotho to the world thereby increasing Lesotho’s footprint on the digital economy. It is also aligned to Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (LSDP II) on matters relating to trade, especially between Lesotho and China.
