The aim of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is:

• To lead and facilitate access to sustainable economic activity and employment for all South Africans through higher levels of investment, and increased access for South African products in international markets.
• To create a fair, competitive and efficient market place for domestic and foreign businesses as well as for consumers.

In this way the dti contributes towards placing the South African economy on an accelerated and shared growth path.

The Departments activities include services relating to:

• investment
• starting a business
• growing a business
• exporting
• big business
• BEE
• consumer protection.