LEDET to roll out economic empowerment campaign for local SMMEs
LIMPOPO – Poor participation in government procurement opportunities, access to markets and incomplete documents have been cited as challenges facing Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) across Limpopo province.
To mitigate the challenges and provide support for the SMMEs, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), together with its entity, the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) has formed partnership with municipalities, financial institutions, SEFDA and business organisations, to host an economic empowerment campaign for small businesses.
Zaid Kalla, departmental spokesperson, said the department has noted with great interest, the appetite displayed by many, especially the youth, on registering and managing businesses.
Kalla indicated that young people, women and persons living with disabilities are earmarked by the provincial government to be priority beneficiaries for all government initiated economic development programmes.
“These vulnerable groups are earmarked to be favoured on all supply chain opportunities within government, government entities and subsidiaries, and even with some private sector companies,” stated Kalla.
Kalla stressed that LEDET continuously notes with concern business opportunities which are favourably designed for the benefit of the youth, women and persons living with disabilities being diverted towards other bidders outside the favoured bracket due to non-compliance.
“The department has prioritised Youth Month as a key month to kick-start its campaign aimed at supporting township and rural entrepreneurs, especially those owned by vulnerable groups,” Kalla pointed out.
He highlighted that it is through this campaign that the department aims to increase SMME capacity, ensure their compliance, as well as equip businesses to be competitive across all key sectors, the result of which the department trusts retail cooperatives across the board will open space on their shelves to sell more locally produced items in support for SMMEs.
“The support of our Limpopo-based entrepreneurs is vital for our fight against poverty, joblessness and wallet-inequality,” concluded Kalla.
