According to the SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency) 2019 report, the number of SMMEs in South Africa increased by 13.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) from 2.25 million in 2017 Q3 to 2.56 million in 2018 Q3. Growth was prevalent in both the formal and informal sectors. The Western Cape region accounts for 260 439 SMMEs.

The need to support and grow this important sector is a focal point of all Smart Procurement World events, held throughout the country on an annual basis. The 7th annual Smart Procurement World Western Cape event, being held in Cape Town from 18 to 20 May 2020, will focus on public and private sector collaboration to assist in local economic development through the support of local small businesses, underpinned by the recently approved Western Cape: Economic Procurement Policy.

Debbie Tagg, COO for Smart Procurement, the organisers of the event, says that up to 200 local small, black-owned businesses will benefit from the programme, which entails readiness training in the months leading up to the Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) Expo taking place at the event.

Organised in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Provincial Government, Sun International, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), the event provides a platform for the matchmaking of corporates with SMMEs. SMME’s showcased on the ESD Expo will be carefully selected, based on the region’s buyers’ and supply chain sourcing needs.

“Key buyers have already submitted their wish lists of solutions and services they are seeking from small business and the matching process is underway. Corporates and public sector partners have also started confirming participation of their beneficiaries. Smart Procurement is pleased to support the District approach and commodity supplier development through this event.

We would like to point out that others are also welcome to utilise this as a verified ESD platform for their beneficiaries. The potential for driving upliftment of the local economy through the SMME sector at the event is immense,” says Tagg.

For more information on the upcoming series of Smart Procurement World events for 2020 please visit the website at: www.smartprocurementworld.com