This TradeProbe is the first in a series of TradeProbes. The objective is to create a general awareness of trade related issues by discussing/reporting trade statistics, inviting viewpoints from people working in the area of trade, reporting on trade related research and to stimulate debate. Covered in this issue in sequence of presentation is; • South African trade performance, generally • Updates of currents trade activities • Two contributed viewpoints • Executive summaries or abstracts of NAMC funded trade research