The Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) together with its agencies hosted an open day and exhibition showcasing its products and services to the public and small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The open day took place at the dti campus in Pretoria today.
The Chief Director of Marketing and Communication at the dti Mr Clement Manoko said the open day which took place for the first time last year, has given the public an opportunity to engage and interact with the dti’s various programmes and agencies on how to start, grow and expand their business.
“Through our Customer Call Centre, the department has been receiving a number of complaints regarding lack of access to our services. We therefore saw this as an opportunity to use other platforms like this open day to interact with our stakeholders and the public,” said Manoko.
Manoko added that the dti has other programmes like “taking the dti to the people” which seek to strengthen government’s commitment to empowering rural and peri-urban communities. These programmes need to be marketed well so that people can know about them.
The co-owner of Dipeung, a jewellery company based in Pretoria, Mr Bulepu Mathabatha who was one of the exhibitors on the day said the open day has given him a platform to showcase his work, and provided access to the work that the dti does especially those that support creative work or recycling.
“Most Exhibitions in South Africa take place at high profile places such as Sandton, Gallagher Estate, but this open day is more accessible to the pedestrians and community around Pretoria,” said Mathabatha.
The agencies that exhibited on the day included Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), National Empowerment Fund (NEF), National Consumer Commission, National Gambling Board, Proudly South African, Competition Commission and other Divisions within the dti.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
