Launching our Black Industrialist Programme in South Africa
We are supporting the launch of the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC) Black Industrialist Programme with our three-year programme to assist a group of industrialists in becoming competitive and sustainable businesses in the current challenging economic climate.
Our previous initiative through the DTIC’s Equity Equivalence Programme focussed on the optimisation and formalisation of business processes within Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSEs) and Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) in the built environment. This provided us with excellent insight into how industrialist businesses operate and the challenges they face.
This new programme will focus on supporting a group of black industrialists in critical areas of development including:
- Access to markets (particularly outside of South Africa or in the private sector)
- Contract knowledge: understanding contractual risk implications and how to price for this
- Market awareness: how to competitively price for proposals and what opportunities to focus on
- Identification of partners to leverage or gain business opportunities
We have recognised synergies with the industrial, mining, infrastructure, high-tech and energy sectors where we are well-established within South Africa and throughout the continent. Our global knowledge and networks are used to bring out the best in companies operating within these sectors and to expand their footprint and business locally and internationally.
We are trusted to do the right thing, including accessing an industry partner base for partnership or skills development and understanding the preferred supplier application processes. Through our local and global market intelligence platforms, accessing an international blue chip client base, contract management expertise and networks, we can identify market opportunities and raise company profiles.
Vivien Naidoo – director of the Black Industrialist programme commented:
This programme aligns with our commitment to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – as it will see businesses with scarce technical skills that support the construction of energy, oil and gas and major infrastructure projects, benefit immensely. We will be helping deliver much-needed services and supporting long-term economic growth.
Find out more about our Black Industrialist Programme in partnership with DTIC.