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Eastern Cape Business 2023-24

The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.

The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue
of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels.

The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.

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to explore alternative energy solutions. This cluster represents 20% of the<br />

Metro’s current electricity usage and has the participation of 34 companies.<br />

The Property Cluster is focussed on facilitating more efficient planning<br />

regarding land and development processes between major stakeholders<br />

and the municipality.<br />

Climate change<br />

We successfully launched an <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Climate Change Coalition to<br />

help drive the development and implementation of a climate change<br />

strategy for Nelson Mandela Bay.<br />

Help Desk<br />

The Help Desk reduces red tape and engages with the Nelson Mandela<br />

Bay Municipality regarding obstacles that members experience when<br />

conducting business. In 2022, the Help Desk assisted in unlocking 78<br />

issues.<br />

<strong>Business</strong> Intelligence Desk<br />

This desk helps with:<br />

• Access to business intelligence for longer-term decision-making<br />

• Access to immediate intelligence for day-to-day decisions<br />

• Dedicated research to develop and grow priority sectors<br />

• Project management<br />

Entrepreneurship Desk<br />

The Entrepreneurship Desk acts as a single contact for the growth and<br />

sustainability of SMMEs. The desk offers pro bono interventions that<br />

encompass digital advertising, business-to-business linkages, skills<br />

development and access to markets, opportunities and one-on-one<br />

advisory support. To date, 179 SMMEs have registered. These SMMEs<br />

employ 998 employees and have a combined turnover of R173-million.<br />

Through the collaboration with the Purem (YES programme) and<br />

Afrika Tikkun service, the Chamber has placed 51 interns with SMMEs.<br />

Enterprise Development Programme<br />

The Nelson Mandela Bay <strong>Business</strong> Chamber Enterprise Development<br />

Programme was launched in 2015, to develop the skills that enhance<br />

and grow small businesses. Since its inception in 2015, the programme<br />

has benefitted 213 businesses, including 27 graduates in 2022. They have<br />

been empowered with skills to run financially-sustainable enterprises<br />

through structured multi-level training, mentoring and linkage support.<br />

The ECDC and the Chamber have further extended the rollout of the<br />

Enterprise Development Programme between <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong> and 2025/26<br />

wherein past participants of the programme will be assisted.<br />

Trade and investment<br />

The Chamber has reimagined its approach to trade and investment.<br />

An Investors Forum is focused on attracting and retaining investment<br />

CONTACT DETAILS<br />

in the Metro. The Chamber<br />

partners with the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong><br />

Development Corporation<br />

(ECDC), the Department of Trade,<br />

Industry and Competition (dtic)<br />

and the Metro’s Department of<br />

Trade and Investment to facilitate<br />

for member companies to<br />

participate in trade missions.<br />

Exporters Development<br />

Programme<br />

The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Exporters<br />

Development Programme,<br />

which is a partnership between<br />

the Chamber and ECDC,<br />

has already attracted the<br />

participation of 58 emerging<br />

exporters. The programme has<br />

migrated smoothly from the<br />

initial pilot in 2022.<br />

Certificates of Origin<br />

As an accredited provider of<br />

this service, the Chamber signs<br />

Certificates of Origin and offers<br />

exporters the opportunity to<br />

certify electronically through the<br />

ECCO system.<br />

Events<br />

Regular networking functions offer<br />

business owners the chance to<br />

make new professional contracts.<br />

The <strong>Business</strong> Chamber’s flagship<br />

events are highlights on the Bay’s<br />

business and social calendar: the<br />

Annual Golf day, the Annual Ladies<br />

Breakfast and the Annual Banquet<br />

Publications and marketing<br />

As another value-added service<br />

to members, the Chamber<br />

provides members with a<br />

variety of digital publications<br />

such as the <strong>Business</strong> Guide,<br />

InfocomLIVE, Annual Review<br />

and Behind the Scenes. ■<br />

Address: 200 Norvic Drive, Greenacres 6045 | Tel: +27 (0) 41 373 1122 | Fax: +27 (0) 41 373 1142<br />

Email: info@nmbbusinesschamber.co.za | Website: www.nmbbusinesschamber.co.za

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