Michael Lawrence Executive DirectorSADC Business Council

Michael Lawrence is the Executive Director of the National Clothing Retail Federation of South Africa – the largest associative collective, in corporate size, of clothing retailers on the continent of Africa. Currently Michael serves at Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) – the apex business body – as, inter alia, the Deputy Chair of the Economic Policy Committee; as the lead member on Trade issues; and as a BUSA delegate to the SADC Business Council. In his roles as a Tralac Associate and participant in WTO Ministerial conferences and WCO conferences on behalf of business, Michael has acquired a breadth of understanding of issues that result in him being asked to participate at national, regional, continental and international events addressing the Trade and Customs issues of the day. Michael has a passionate belief that Trade and Customs architecture is necessary but must be based in pragmatism; stop the scourge of illegal and fraudulent Trade; and support sustainable commercial and economic growth for national economies resulting in jobs and societal upliftment.