The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) in partnership with the Department of Small Business Development will hold the 7th Annual Small Medium and Micro-size Enterprises (SMME) Conference and Business Expo from 19-20 November 2014 at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC).
The SMME conference seeks to give concrete expression to government’s commitment to prioritise entrepreneurship and the advancement of SMMEs as a catalyst for economic development and job creation. This year’s theme is: “Driving SMME sustainability and competitiveness through innovation”. In this regard, the focus will be on alignment with the national integrated strategic framework for SMME support with emphasis on adaptation of technology to increase the competitiveness of small businesses as well as to promote innovation.
The conference will also provide a platform for policy and strategic engagement with stakeholders and to help identify opportunities for small businesses in identified priority sectors in the province. It will provide policy-makers with an opportunity to reflect on the economic potential of SMMEs as well as the key challenges confronting the sector in the province.
Minister Lindiwe Zulu says: “This conference presents national government with a platform to engage provincial stakeholders on how we can move the South African
economy forward through SMME development. We continue to count on the collective wisdom and perspectives of our people and their organised formations. We are confident that this conference will help us identify issues that must inform our strategic interventions”.
The Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Sakhumzi Somyo heralded the role played by SMMEs for advancing economic growth in the province and sees the conference as a step in the right direction for integration of the efforts to support the sector.
MEC Somyo says: “our aim is to provide one – stop – shop services to address the needs of SMMEs as they play a crucial role in the economic growth of the province. We have converged most of the service providers ranging from the development finance institutions and regulatory bodies to offer basic services required by SMMEs to move their businesses to the next level”.
The economic sectors that will be drawn from the SMME’s include: agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, information communication technology, forestry, services and green industries as priority sectors in the province, adds Somyo.
Other stakeholders who are playing a key role in the organisation of the conference include the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ), Eastern Cape Development Cooperation (ECDC), University of Fort Hare (UFH), The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF).
Speaking about the ELIDZ involvement in the conference Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simphiwe Kondlo says “the company views such platforms as a gateway for growing enterprises in the province to meet industry players and experts so as to help them re-align their offerings in the market.
“As ELIDZ we are committed to providing growth opportunities such as training to SMMEs and this we do through various initiatives. These include the Masakhesonke Contractor Development Programme which we entered into a strategic relationship with the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) to plan and implement a Targeted SMME Empowerment Programme”, says Kondlo.
Kondlo added that the joint partnership in organising the conference with other organisations will strengthen the efforts to capacitate SMMEs with valuable business acumen and offer many advantages as all the institutions bring with them different experiences and resources to the project.
The targeted number of SMME’s to be reached over the two day period is 300 existing businesses and business associations.
The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will deliver the closing address on the 20th of November 2014.
Members of the media are invited to attend and the conference is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date:19 – 20 November 2014
Venue: East London International Convention Centre (ICC)
Time: 8h30
For enquiries please contact:
Sixolile Makaula (DEDEAT)
Tel: 043 605 7117
Cell: 072 751 5001
E-mail: sixolile.makaula@dedea.gov.za
Cornelius Monama (Ministry of Small Business Development)
Tel: 012 394 3027
082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@dsbd.gov.za
Asanda Fongqo (East London IDZ)
Tel: 043 702 8200
Cell: 079 501 4774
E-mail: asanda@elidz.co.za
