Local businesses are working to improve the local economy by joining forces with the government. Various businesses and stakeholders met to present their objectives at the Makana Businesses Conference at the Makana Resort on Wednesday.
Local businesses are working to improve the local economy by joining forces with the government. Various businesses and stakeholders met to present their objectives at the Makana Businesses Conference at the Makana Resort on Wednesday.
The conference was a formal platform which offered various businesses the opportunity to share their main objectives and to gain knowledge on how other sectors operate. Municipal Manager, Ntombi Baart, says local businesses have to create initiatives that will sustain the local economy.
"We have to work together towards a united local business sector," she said.
She also encouraged both private and government-owned businesses to build a coherent relationship with the municipality. While discussing the role of the Local Economic Development (LED) within the business sector, LED director Riana Meiring said that the LED is focusing on establishing partnerships with the relevant stakeholders. She also said they aim to create an enabling environment for existing and developing businesses in Makana.
One of the businesses establishing itself in the business sector is the Border Kei Chamber of Commerce from Queenstown. According to the chamber’s LED advisor, Alison Wienekus, the government should include more local small business within their initiatives to improve the local economy.
"Investment should take place locally," she said.
The chamber’s executive director, Les Holbrook said that the chamber offers mentoring programmes such as training for small, medium and macro-enterprises (SMME). He also said that the chamber will be conducting 2010 training for SMMEs in September, so that they can prepare themselves for the Fifa World Cup.
In his mayoral address, Makana Mayor, Vumile Lwana pointed out some of the challenges – such as the global recession, unemployment and poverty – that need to be addressed regarding developments in the local business sector. He added that local businesses such as construction companies, should benefit from major tenders.
"We need to involve local businesses in internal business opportunities," he said.
Some of the private and government business institutions which were present at the conference include the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Iqaud Investment Incentives, the provincial Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).
Quoting the freedom Charter, Lwana said, "the people shall share in the country’s wealth."
Tags: makana business conference, ntombi baart, grahamstown economy, vumile lwana, fifa world cup, development
Tweet: Local businesses, government representatives and other stakeholders discuss ways to work together to improve the local economy at the Makana Business Conference.
