Indaba helps businesses to reach the next level
Small businesses have been identified as a key focus for development during the Ekurhuleni Metro's Manufacturing Indaba Conference that took place at Emperors Palace, on June 28 to 29.
Major manufacturing companies and industry leaders came together to produce the ultimate experience for small-business professionals, entrepreneurs and nationally recognised manufacturing experts.
The indaba created networking opportunities, offered business support, and supplied cutting-edge insights and partnerships to help take businesses to the next level.
The two-day event also focused on the growth opportunities for entrepreneurs who run small business operations within the manufacturing sector.
ALSO READ: Don’t waste a good recession – chief economist
It also served as a platform for the public and private sector to find mutual beneficial solutions to boost South Africa’s manufacturing sector.
Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Rob Davies, who gave his keynote address on Tuesday, June 28, said that South Africa needs to focus on industrialisation and develop special economic zones, clusters, and hubs to see profitable good results.
He added that this will only be successful if the manufacturing sector has close ties with the public and private sector to build a strong relationship that will be collaborative in nature.
Davies said that for industrial economy to create jobs there is a need to focus on the labour sectors.
“The high level of economic growth will help to conquer unemployment in our country. People are looking for jobs and we are as business people are the one who need to create such job opportunities,” Davies said.
Manufacturing Circle’s Bruce Strong also shared the stage with Davies, speaking on behalf of the interests of the country’s biggest manufacturing sectors.
He said objectives that can be looked into are market access for exports, reducing red tape, and a stronger alignment with government in terms of objectivity and policies.
Mayor Mondli Gungubele said the indaba was aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and to explore solutions that would impact of the economic fortunes of South Africa.
“Over the years we have witnessed a decline and stagnation in traditional sectors, such that the manufacturing industry reflected a negative growth of -2.6 per cent due to decreases in the prices of input commodities.
“This prompted the metro and the provincial government to prioritise the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector.
“Despite the global downturn throughout the whole world, not too long ago our metro scooped the highest rating Moody’s Rating Agency can give to a local authority in a country.
“This means investment is well placed with us. However, we have since realised that despite our high investment grade rating, we face the risk of private sector disinvestments due to the environment of slow economic growth, electricity constraints and policy uncertainty which does not offer any positive stimulus.
“Hence industries are likely to be cautious about investing until there is certainty in the economy.
“In this regard, we have sought to partner with the Department of Trade and Industry, Productivity SA, Proudly SA, Manufacturing Circle and of course Siyenza Events to create the indaba, a platform wherein all social partners in civil society, government, private sector and organised labour can engage each other to explore mutual solutions,” Gungubele said.
