REVIVING LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITIES
THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Significant progress has been made since 1994, but there is still a lot that can and should be done.

We at the Metropolitan SMME Portal see empowerment and economic transformation
as processes and not events, and a legacy of centuries cannot be over turned in a few years, particularly in a globalised, competitive world.

 As such the Metropolitan SMME Portal embarked on these Business Imbizos in association with the Department of Provincial Treasury, National Ports Authority, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Khula Enterprise Finance, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Umsobomvu Youth Fund, Government Communications and Information System, ABSA, the University Of Fort Hare and as strategic partners the BMF  and NAFCOC.

The event took place in six District Municipalities and focused on the following areas those districts:

This significant event will continue to be influential in the evolution of Small Businesses in the Eastern Cape Province as it is a vehicle that will take provincial initiatives, opportunities and information to regions that have previously been excluded from events of this nature and as a result the business community in such regions has had little or no real involvement in provincial economic activities. As a platform for showcasing developmental initiatives, gaining direct contact with the small business community and facilitating networking opportunities with key role-players in the province.

There is much potential for government and the private sector to play an important role in supporting small businesses. It can make real business sense to buy from small businesses and a number of  efficiency gains can be made by procuring core goods and services from small companies and not only peripheral items such as cleaning services, stationery etc, as has often been the practice in the Eastern Cape. Through this Imbizos we have exposed small businesses to the Metropolitan SMME Portal, where they can register their companies for free and give their business the exposure and access it needs as to take it to the next level.

This was the first time an event of this nature was held in the Eastern Cape Province and the Imbizos was well received throughout the regions, there is a great hunger and need for access to information and economic  opportunities and we are proud to announce that this event will be held annually as to impact local business communities by creating a winning province where small businesses, particularly historically disadvantage smme’s can contribute towards  growth and development as to ensure a stable and well balanced economy.

• Business opportunities, including access to finance (financial institutions), market access (government, parastatal, and private) and capacity building (business development service providers).
• Provincial procurement and tender processes.
• Facilitation of Business Linkages via the Metropolitan SMME Portal before, during and after the event.

There is no doubt that this initiative speaks to the needs and challenges that SMMEs are facing and that there is much work that need to be done by both the private and public sectors if we are to become a winning province with a vibrant economy with equal participation by all.

We cannot sit back and hope that things will come right by itself; we all have to be active in areas of smme development, good governance, black economic empowerment and participation in initiatives that seeks to uplift our people in order for us to have a growing economy.

A big thank you to all our stakeholders who participated in the Business Imbizos, we could not have done it without you and we look forward to your continued support.