The second Gauteng SMME Summit 2021 will be held be virtually to adhere to best practice in social distancing measures and live-streamed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The Gauteng SMME Summit 2021 aims to help create access to information, financial assistance, and ultimately access to markets for the township-based enterprises.
It will seek ways to ensure that the SMMEs overcome the financial burden that the coronavirus pandemic has caused.
“Through this summit, the department seeks to tackle the issues of inclusive economic transformation and strengthen the importance of collaboration and cooperation amongst small businesses. Our objectives are to achieve tangible outcomes and to be able to monitor and track achievements,” says Tseliso Mohlomi, Director: Special Projects, Strategic Partnerships and International Relations at the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
“The public and private sectors have taken significant interventions to support small businesses and their employees.”
The Gauteng Department of Economic Development has teamed up with Vodacom, Microsoft, PPC, Cash Build, Coca Cola, Accenture, Digify Africa and Heavy Chef to host this year’s summit.
The corporate partners’ aims to assist SMMEs in directing their businesses and finding sustainable solutions as they strive to recover from the impact the pandemic has had on their operations.
“As a purpose-led organisation focused on connecting for a better future by enabling a digital society, we are excited to participate in this summit and to be part of a solution that supports SMMEs, which are a vital part of our economy,” says William Mzimba, CEO of Vodacom Business Group.
“The pandemic underscores the possibilities of digital technologies in assisting SMMEs to not only survive, but to also thrive. It is for this reason that our digital solutions are specifically tailored to this sector of business to drive growth. If implemented correctly, digital solutions and services also provide significant opportunities to drive growth and innovation while keeping costs low.”
