Business development was the key focus of an engagement session for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) held in Richards Bay last week. The dialogue was hosted by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) at ZCBF’s Pelican Hall in partnership with business Partners. It featured a presentation from the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) who highlighted investment projects in the pipeline and the various programmes being undertaken to support and ensure the growth of small businesses.

This includes the Nal’themba enterprise development programme which seeks to empower SMMEs towards greater participation in the RBIDZ’s investment activities. “The aim of the programme is to complement our industrial investment through upstream and downstream participation by our local SMMEs resulting in job creation and inclusive growth,” Said RBIDZ enterprise development officer Sinovuyo Ndayi. “We have also developed collaboration with our investors to develop a mutually beneficial programme that is aligned to our priority sectors,” she added.

While the first application process for the programme has been concluded, there are plans to reopen the process with the key focus on metal beneficiation. Delivering their presentation, Business Partners shared the various financial support and mentorship programmes they offer small businesses, which include business and property finance. They also recently launched two new funds the tourism and green buildings fund.

These were launched to support businesses within the tourism sectors that were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and last year’s civil unrest. “We assisted SMMEs that are guest houses, restaurants and tour operators. “The green building finance programme is for entrepreneurs who want to invest in green buildings and achieve the necessary certification in this space,” said Business Partners’ Qiniso Mbatha.