A Boon For Business

The Municipality’s Business Support Unit is shifting up a gear in preparation for the annual Small Business Fair, to be hosted at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 19 - 21 September.

The main small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMME) fair comes after five regional SMME fairs hosted in partnership with the Area Based Management teams in the South Durban Basin, the Inanda, Ntuzuma and Kwa Mashu region, and Rural areas, in which 340 exhibitors, and more than 6 000 visitors participated. Celebrating 10 years of fairs this year, the main business fair promises to be the best yet.

Philip Sithole, Head: Business Support Unit, said: “This year we have a plan to take the fair to a higher level. We are hoping to increase the number and quality of exhibitors. “We have an exciting small business conference, business linkage programme, and one on one meetings between small businesses and corporate executives planned. “We have also invited high profile guest speakers for the conference. Thus far we have confirmations from KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Finance, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Durban Chamber President, Moses Tembe, Chief Executive of Pamodzi Investments, Ndaba Ntsele, Chief Executive of McCarthy Holdings, Brand Pretorius, and Chief Executive of Zungu Investments Company, Sandile Zungu.”

The business linkage programme is on the cards again. It allows SMMEs meet big industry players and introduce their services and products to procurement officers. Meetings between small businesses and big businesses are pre-arranged. To participate in the programme, call 031 467 5090, fax 086 657 0973, or emailinfo@blackbusinesslink.co.za. 

Small businesses are encouraged to participate in the conference. Issues to be addressed include the City’s 2010 programme, broad based black economic empowerment and its implications for small businesses, government procurement processes, support programmes and access to finance, and global trade issues that affect small businesses.

Another innovation introduced as part of the 10 year celebration is the competition for the best exhibitor, who will win a prize to exhibit overseas. The Business Support Unit will provide training on how to exhibit, mentorship during the exhibition, and an after-care programme. The Municipality will present its budget expenditure, which will give SMMEs an indication of Council projects to be implemented.The participation of eThekwini’s sister cities will add another dimension to the fair, offering SMMEs an opportunity to network and forge links with overseas markets.

During the gala dinner, open to all exhibitors, the City will announce the winners of the Lions’ Den Competition that is held in partnership with the Leeds Municipality. The exhibition will serve as a networking platform for small businesses, financial institutions, SMME development agencies, and big business. Businesses are urged to register for the fair as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.