Mpumalanga crowns business minded entrepreneurs

The Department recognised business minded entrepreneurs during the Provincial leg of the Business Launch Pad Competition held at Bundu Inn on 31 August 2012.

A total of 25 entrepreneurs were honoured with certificates during the glamorous event.

Mpumalanga Business Launch Pad is part of the national strategy to recognise the contribution of small and medium enterprises and individuals in the national programme of job creation.

The competition encourages individuals and cooperatives to translate their ideas into job creating initiatives, to improve businesses and to help
established small business to flourish and grow bigger.

Addressing the stakeholders, The Head of Department, Dr Vusanani Dlamini, shared his delight in participating in the initiative. Dr Dlamini said that this initiative is significant because it helps the Department to promote the job creating initiatives in the province.

The HoD further encouraged the SMMEs to critically study and use the growth path strategy to direct the provincial effort of creating jobs.

The winners were awarded in the following categories: Manufacturing, Information Technology, Tourism, Construction, Transport, Media and Communication and Agriculture.

The HoD remarked that SMMEs provide many opportunities for employment of many people.

The Provincial Government recognises that SMMEs have a greater potential to improve the economic growth. This is against the backdrop that research shows that 57% economic growth in Indonesia comes from the SMMEs.

The Department is mandated to transform the economy of the Province, therefore it is the responsibility of the relevant unit within the dedet to assist entrepreneurs with both funding and mentoring workshops.

“All winners, in addition to funding, received a prize package comprising of laptops, software, business library (five selected books) and mentorship through the project.

The Department together with strategic partners on Business Launch Pad such as Seda, Sefa, NYDA, Nedbank will continue to support the SMMEs,” said HoD Dlamini.