eThekwini Small Business Fair Deadline on 30 July

With just a few days to go before the July, 30, deadline, smmes are reminded to register to participate in the eThekwini Municipality’s main Small Business Fair.

The eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support Unit (BSU) is going full steam ahead with plans to make the Main Small Business Fair in September the best ever. The fair, supported by the Durban Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency has built up a reputation of being the region’s leading event catering to the needs of emerging enterprises in a broad number of sectors.

After successfully hosting seven regional fairs in partnership with the INK, SDB and Rural Area Based Management teams, they are now calling on smme’s to register to participate in the Main fair that will be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre, on 28 –30 September.

“With the success of the seven regional fairs behind us, we are going full steam ahead with plans to ensure that this years main SMME fair adds better value, with more networking and development opportunities,” said Philip Sithole, Acting Head, BSU.

Sithole said, ’We are expecting 300 hundred exhibitors to participate in the main fair that are organized solely to give smaller businesses a much-needed boost with opportunities to network and learn under one roof.
“As with previous years, the fair focuses strongly on creating sustainable business linkages between SMMEs and major industry and government departments.”

“We are also inviting established smmes with some degree of success to also participate in the fair as it is not only for the emerging entrepreneur,” he added. ‘the business linkage programme aims to link suitable smmes with big business, and for that you need to be able to deliver to the demands of big business.”

Participation from our sister cities, and a buyers programme on the cards for the main September fair, so make sure you don’t miss out.

SMMEs interested in participating in the fairs can contact Ikhono Communication on telephone (031) 266 9937/8 or email lindani@ikhonokzn.co.za.

Hurry up and Register for the 2007 SMME Fair

SMME Fairs in Durban Grow Entrepreneurs

The South Durban Basin (SDB) Small Business Fair at Umlazi Mega City was a great success according to the organisers. It was the first of six SMME Fairs for 2007.

The eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support Unit (BSU) in partnership with the area-based management (ABM) teams in Inanda, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma (INK) and various rural areas will be bringing similar fairs to their own areas in the coming months. This weekend’s South Durban Fair and the upcoming INK fair have been limited to 200 exhibitors, while the three one-day rural fairs will attract some 50 exhibitors each and will focus more on workshops and information sharing. These will all be held at venues that are easily accessible and central to all.

All these efforts will culminate in a main SMME Fair at the Durban Exhibition Centre at the end of September with some 300 exhibitors expected, which plans to be better than ever before with participation from Durban's Sister cities, and a buyers programme on the cards.

During the Fairs, experts in the field of SMME development and business conducting free informative workshops, covering a variety of relevant topics. SMMEs can learn about accessing finance, business compliance, the municipality’s business support programme, procurement procedures and policies, and more.

Key role players are made available to impart valuable information and assistance to SMMEs to grow and make successes of their businesses.

Mayor Obed Mlaba said the Fairs were a primary networking hubs for small, medium and micro enterprises. “I appeal to the business sector, especially big business to support these fairs. They provide opportunities for networking and bridge building. It is time we started to grow some African millionaires in eThekwini; these fairs are fertile ground.”

BSU Acting Head Philip Sithole: “Big business and industry are urged to come on board and participate in the business linkage programme. It is only with their support that small business will be able to develop to their full potential.

Read Derek Dlamini's account of the SMME Fair at Umlazi Mega City.

Dates of the Fairs:

INK SMME Fair: 22 – 24 June at the JL Dube Stadium, Inanda. Contact Thuli Mthembu of Vezubuhle Events at Tel: 031 303 8218; Fax: 086 654 4339; or Cell: 073 408 7065

Rural ABM SMME Fair: The proposed dates and venues are:1. North: 30 June, at Mount View Hall, Verulam.2. West: 5 July, at the Pinetown Civic Centre.3. South: 7 July, at the Umbumbulu municipal offices.Contact Zodwa Msimang of Ikhono Communications at Tel: 031 266 9937; Fax: 031 266 6054; Cell: 082 554 3150

The Main SMME Fair: Durban Exhibition Centre from 28 – 30 September. Contact the Business Support Unit, c/o Winile Mntungwa at Tel: 031 311 4500; 031 311 4442; Fax: 031 332 6408; or Cell: 083 449 6005

Register for the SMME Fairs