There is potential for synergy between the public and private sectors in regard to the procurement policy and the supplier diversity which will lead to sourcing products and services from previously under-used suppliers. This is the view of Mr Gary Joseph of the South African Supplier Diversity Council.
He was speaking on the first day of the National Small Business summit hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Dedet) at the Ingwenyama conference and sports resort in White River yesterday.
“Supplier diversity will lead to increased corporate opportunities for social investment in local value chains. SMMEs can offer more value that can translate into new opportunities to explore if government and the private sector work together to create an enabling environment for them,” said Joseph. He added that small businesses were a greater benefit to communities and are customers-focused, and deserved business development support including providing services for both private and public sectors.
Leora Rajak of the Enterprise Room encouraged SMMEs to be active, ready, hard-working and to apply best practices and comply with the procurement processes in order to be able to benefit from both sectors. Rajak told advised entrepreneurs to equip themselves with procurement process knowledge and contact management amongst other things.
More than 500 entrepreneurs, 50 exhibitors, small business financiers, academia, consultants and experts, as well as small business policy-makers from the three spheres of government will attended the summit. The theme for this year’s summit is The Role of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in South Africa’s Industrialisation Path.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell : 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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