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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FOCUS<br />
Helping entrepreneurs grow<br />
The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Development Corporation has several<br />
programmes which support SMMEs.<br />
Services include: business networks; advisory<br />
support; business plan development; feasibility studies;<br />
due diligence; mentorship and coaching; quality<br />
management support; marketing support; intellectual<br />
property registration support and management;<br />
pre-commercialisation studies; skills development;<br />
information workshops and seminars.<br />
The Informal <strong>Business</strong> Support Programme<br />
(IBSP), implemented through the ECDC, sees<br />
to it that small businesses have the tools and<br />
equipment they need to prosper and grow.<br />
The <strong>Business</strong> Development Services<br />
Unit of the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Development<br />
Corporation (ECDC) forms the backbone<br />
of the enterprise development ecosystem<br />
which ensures the sustainability of businesses.<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Support<br />
The <strong>Business</strong> Support sub-unit provides non-financial<br />
pre-investment and post-investment support,<br />
ensuring that businesses are ready for finance, market<br />
ready and poised for long-term growth.<br />
Ongoing support is available through mentorships,<br />
market access opportunities as well as business and<br />
financial management advice. The unit offers both<br />
strategic and operational services to equip small<br />
businesses to perform to their full potential, with<br />
increased profitability and improved management<br />
processes that enhance their long-term viability.<br />
The <strong>Business</strong> Support sub-unit promotes a<br />
culture of entrepreneurship, improvement in business<br />
competitiveness and facilitates access to market and<br />
to education and training for SMMEs.<br />
ECDC contact details<br />
Address: 1 Moore Street, Quigney, East London<br />
Tel: +27 43 704 5604<br />
Email: info@ecdc.co.za<br />
Website: www.ecdc.co.za<br />
Development Finance<br />
The Development Finance sub-unit manages the ECDC’s<br />
business finance product offering and assists enterprises<br />
gain access to finance.<br />
Through both short-term and long-term products, the<br />
ECDC has set itself apart as the financial service provider of<br />
choice for initiatives that bring a meaningful development<br />
impact. With an understanding of the historical lack of<br />
access of small-to-medium enterprises to finance, the<br />
ECDC uses adequate management capacity and business<br />
viability as key lending criteria.<br />
ECDC Access, the category name for short-term finance,<br />
offers products geared towards facilitating efficient cash<br />
flow management. “Access” denotes the values of flexibility,<br />
convenience, efficiency and transparency. ECDC Future,<br />
the category name for long-term finance, offers long-term<br />
debt finance vehicles, one covering commercial property<br />
and another dealing with equity finance.<br />
The ECDC’s business finance products are best suited<br />
to applications that facilitate job creation and/or retention,<br />
economic empowerment, value addition, rural/township<br />
development and increased export income. Any greenfield<br />
initiative that leads to expansion and rehabilitation will be<br />
eligible for application for finance.<br />
The ECDC aims to provide efficient client service for<br />
the entire duration of the contract term. Monthly account<br />
management and quarterly report-back visits will gauge<br />
the health of the business. ■<br />
EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong>
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