Since the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 the DTI has focused on reintegrating the country into the global economy after decades of isolation. This has required new policies and the consolidation of existing ones.

After the 1999 general elections, the DTI moved from a period of learning to transformation. This involved the development of an organisational structure that is more suited to the economic needs of the country and the challenges of globalisation. The DTI seeks to:

• Attract higher levels of domestic and foreign investment
• Increase market access for SA products worldwide
• Create a fair, efficient and competitive market place for domestic and foreign investors, business and consumers

The goals of the DTI include promoting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), increasing opportunities for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), reducing inequality and poverty between regions in Southern Africa, strengthening the international competitiveness of South African business, developing the SADC region, and servicing the economic citizen in South Africa.

Trade and Investment South Africa
The Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA) agency works under the umbrella of the Department of Trade and Industry to provide a one-stop shop for investors and exporters at a national level.

This is a service delivery agency, incorporating the functions and staff of the former Investment South Africa. It combines trade and investment promotion from the premise of the increasing interrelatedness of trade with investment. This enables the DTI to take advantage of the synergy between investment and export promotion.

TISA's trade and investment promotion offices function as autonomous units, though they are located within embassies in most countries for practical reasons.

DTI group of institutions
The DTI is a federation of bodies, not a single institution. Together they form the Council of Trade and Industry Institutions. The group is divided into three main clusters, namely development finance, regulatory and specialist services. Some of the major organisations within the group of institutions are listed below.

Industrial Development Corporation
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) operates throughout South Africa and offers a range of financing services for small, medium and large scale industries, so as to assist businesses in the establishment of manufacturing concerns in South Africa and the Southern African region. The most common form of financing given by the IDC is a medium to long term low interest rate loan.

Khula Enterprise Finance Limited
Khula is a limited liability company with Department of Trade and Industry as a major shareholder. Khula facilitates the provision of loan and equity capital to small, medium and micro enterprises through the medium of Retail Financial Intermediaries. Its offerings include to credit guarantee schemes.

Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency
Ntsika is a government agency set up to render non-financial support services to small, medium and micro enterprises. Its programmes include local business service centres, counselling, advice and technical support, skills training, tender advice, access to technology and a mentorship program.

National Empowerment Fund
The business of the NEF Corporation is to promote savings and investments among historically disadvantaged people through its retail division, and to fund economic empowerment and black business through its investments division.