In response to the lack of market opportunities for local products, platforms to promote local businesses, and persistent underdevelopment and high poverty levels sustained by the continued importation of agricultural and food products, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the District Municipalities, are implementing a series of trade fairs across the province. The latest shows took place in Mbizana and Komani on 24 May 2024.
The primary objective of these trade fairs is to stimulate local trade among locals, contributing to economic growth in the districts. According to DEDEAT Regional Director Ms. Thembakazi Tshefu, sixty MSMEs heed the call and exhibited their produce during the Alfred Nzo Trade Fair. Organised with district, local authorities and development agencies, the event was held at Mbizana Square.
Ms. Shuki Nonkonyana, representing the Alfred Nzo District Business Chamber and also a business owner, expressed gratitude to government for the platform, noting that it not only exposes small businesses to the market but also allows them to connect with other players and potential suppliers in the value chain, thus fostering the concept of localisation. She added that the day was truly successful, with businesses turning up in large numbers.
In Komani, ECDC Acting Regional Manager Mr. Rufus Nayo explained that the event aimed to create a meeting platform for producers of agricultural and food products with consumers. This initiative helps identify potential entrepreneurs for further support and development, facilitates information sharing on consumer needs, and offers local innovators the chance to exhibit their products for potential support and partnerships, added Nayo.
Local entrepreneur Mrs. Gqwaka, a motivational speaker, emphasised the need for personal development among black entrepreneurs to shift their mindset from being “entrepreneurs of just enough” to becoming industry leaders involved in strategic conversations.
DEDEAT Chris Hani’s Regional Director Ms. Xolile Titus welcomed collaboration between the department and its entities in coordinating and conducting trade fairs to boost the Eastern Cape economy. She stressed that businesses should utilise the funding opportunities provided by DEDEAT entities, noting that access to markets remains a significant challenge in the region. Ms. Titus announced that the next trade fair would focus on the fashion industry.
Buyers, government departments, and development institutions showcased their MSME support programmes, encouraging businesses to apply for funding opportunities through various instruments like the Imvaba Cooperative Fund, the Local and Regional Economic Development Fund, and the Farmers Support Fund provided by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR).
These trade fairs represent a significant step towards enhancing local economic development, providing much-needed market access, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Eastern Cape.
