A group of entrepreneurs representing 19 SMMEs across the Eastern Cape graduated from the Eastern Cape Exporter Development Programme in Gqeberha on Friday, 30 April 2021.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation in Partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber hosted a graduation ceremony for the 19 Eastern Cape based SMMEs that successfully completed the Eastern Cape Exporter Development Programme.
The 19 participants underwent an intense selection process in August 2019 after responding to a call for participation in the Exporter Development Programme, a 12 month long training programme that focuses on assisting Eastern Cape based companies with acquiring the relevant certification for their product and service offering and to ensure their export readiness.
“The Exporter Development Programme is the most important breakthrough in the development of Eastern Cape exporters. The programme incorporates two components that were not brought together in the past which are in the form of technical training and mentorship. This year’s programme has proven to be successful due to the commitment from the partners involved in the programme as well as the commitment of all participants despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.” said Phakamisa George, ECDC Senior Manager – Trade Promotion.
“The structure of the programme encompasses tools that will deliver appropriately skilled exporters, further contribute to the number of existing exporters and increase the real value of exports consistently over time. In turn contributing to Government’s socio-economic objectives of economic growth, employment creation, equity improvement and poverty alleviation as well as increase the Eastern Cape’s enterprises proportion of exporting.” Prince Matonsi, NMBBC Operations Manager adds.
Water scientist Dr Bonga Zuma, who owns Lugaju Innovations, based in East London, said though the company had started exporting to West Africa, he still learnt new skills from the programme.
“I got to understand there is a systematic entry into exporting into a different country, how will you distribute your product, who are your allies there and for me the future is brighter,” Zuma said.
The three year partnership with the ECDC and the NMBBC is now in its 2nd year, with 29 SMMEs mentored and introduced to export markets globally.