INVISIBLE TRADE, INVISIBLE TRAVELLERS: THE MAPUTO CORRIDOR SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE AND INFORMAL CROSS-BORDER TRADING

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the activities and patterns of trade of small entrepreneurs involved in informal cross-border trade between South African and Mozambique and the potential impact of the Maputo Corridor Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) on their businesses. Virtually no mention is made of informal sector cross-border traders in policy documents and analyses of the Corridor, or other South African government policies directed towards increasing regional cooperation and export trade. This paper therefore also explores what traders know about the Maputo Corridor SDI and how they think it will affect their businesses. It suggests that although the Corridor may have a positive impact in some ways, unless other policies, particularly those relating to immigration and customs and excise policies are changed—the potential value of the Corridor to these small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) may be lost.