Market your Business

A group of 14 SMMEs will be gaining valuable business information ideas on marketing by Cindy Norcott of Proappoints. Tradepoint Durban looks to facilitate these opportunities to help develop emerging entrepreneurs and SMMEs. This workshop is being presented free of charge by Cindy. If you are interested in gaining insight into good business practice contact Monique Labat at Tradepoint Durban on Tel: 031 332 0445.

CALLING ALL SMMEs & CO-OPERATIVES IN KWAZULU-NATAL
APPLY FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS

The eThekwini Municipality, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Economic Development, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), are the stakeholders of TRADEPOINT DURBAN. A trade facilitation centre has been established to assist SMMEs in KwaZulu-Natal to access global markets.

TRADEPOINT DURBAN is looking to select a number of SMMEs, Emerging Entrepreneurs and Co-operatives throughout the Province of KwaZulu-Natal to participate in national and international trade fairs, as well as international exchanges. Selected participants will be required to provide for their own meals at these events. The balance of the costs will be borne by the Department of Economic Development and the eThekwini Municipality. Kindly note this is an opportunity targeted at SMMEs and Co-operatives in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Targeted sectors are:

Agro-processing; arts & crafts; clothing, textile & footwear; furniture & wood products; ICT&Electronics

Selection criteria:
1. Must be in business for minimum of 6 months
2. Product should be competitive in South African/International market
3. Preference will be given to BEE/Emerging Enterprises
4. Applications to be accompanied by photographs of products
5. SMMEs, Emerging Entrepreneurs and Co-operatives selected will be able to represent other SMME’s products
Interested applicants should email, hand deliver or post:
· A letter of motivation indicating why applicant should be selected
· Full company and contact details
· Copy of company registration documents/Close Corporation/Co-operative number
· BEE status
· Number of employees or members in the company/Close Corporation/Co-operative
· Which exhibitions they have exhibited at and when the exhibitions took place
Detailed list of products
TRADEPOINT DURBAN
2nd floor, Chamber House
190 Stalwart Simelane Street (Previously Stanger Street)
P.O. Box 1506
Durban, 4000 KwaZulu-Natal
Tel: 031 332 0445 Fax: 031 332 0467
Email: info@tradepointdurban.org Delivery from Monday to Friday 08h00 - 16h30. Closing date for applications is Tuesday, 31 July 2007 at 16h30. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. TRADEPOINT DURBAN reserves the right not to make a selection.

Durban Chamber gets the 2010 ball rolling

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (http://www.durbanchamber.co.za/) in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality are proud to announce the establishment of the Chamber’s 2010 Business Opportunities Desk.
The role of this desk will be to:
Provide a monthly synopsis of what other Chambers in South Africa and business concerns are doing throughout the country to increase economic opportunities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup;
disseminating whatever information is available on the 2010 preparations which requires input from business to members from the Chamber and other interested business groups;
ensuring business attends meetings on the 2010 process where the attendance of business is specifically required;
preparing and coordinating documentation from business on issues to be considered by municipal officials to integrate into the 2010 programme; and
identify areas where Chamber members can benefit from business opportunities created by the 2010 World Cup.

It is pleasing to note that Durban is the only host city that has such a facility in the country where the Municipality is in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce on issues pertaining to 2010. We will be hosting regular briefing sessions with relevant officials from the city as well as business representatives to look at economic development opportunities presented with in the various sectors. We urge members of the Chamber to attend these sessions and to get involved in a process and put our wonderful city on the map.

For more information on the 2010 Business Opportunities Desk please contact:

Zama Mncwabe
2010 Business Opportunities Desk
2nd floor, Chamber House
190 Stalwart Simelane Street (Previously Stanger Street)
DURBAN 4001
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 31 332 0445
Fax: +27 31 332 0467Email: mncwabez@mweb.co.za

Crafters keen for accreditation

Several creative bead and wireworkers met with the MAPP SETA at TRADEPOINT DURBAN recently to subscribe to an accreditation process. Once accredited the crafters will be on the list of the MAPP SETA service providers and will be compensated for training other would-be crafters. This is a big benefit to emerging entrepreneurs looking to increase their income. For more information contact TRADEPOINT DURBAN on email: info@tradepointdurban.org

Rural crafters in KwaZulu-Natal

Interested in supporting groups of rural crafters producing world class corporate and conference gifts? Contact me at the newly established Tradepoint Durban - we're hosted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, check out http://www.durbanchamber.co.za/ You'll find us in the City of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa.

We have some great projects for the forthcoming year - participation at exhibitions locally and internationally to promote our brand of handcrafted gifts.

Give us a shout for your specific requirements at info@tradepointdurban.org