The Gauteng Provincial Government continues with efforts to transform, modernise and reindustrialise the Sedibeng District’s economy in line with the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 plan.
Premier David Makhura joined by Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic),Deputy Minister, Fikile Majola, Economic Development MEC Parks Tau, Sedibeng District Municipality Executive Mayor Lerato Maloka hosted the inaugural Sedibeng Small, Medium and Micro Entrepreneurs (SMME) conference attended by SMMEs from Sedibeng.
The conference builds up on the recent inaugural Sedibeng Investment Conference which brought together various stakeholders in the public and private sector to deliberate on investment and development initiatives aimed at reigniting the Sedibeng economy. The engagements today consolidated ways of reigniting the Vaal SMME Economy.
Speaking at the conference, Premier David Makhura said, the conference held sought to ensure that SMMEs participate meaningfully in the implementation of the R44 billion investment projects unveiled at the inaugural Sedibeng Investment Conference.
“Our engagement today is aimed at providing a concrete way forward on integrating the township economy of the Vaal, deliberately, consciously, and conscientiously into the initiatives of the regeneration and revival of the economy of Sedibeng,”said Makhura.
Sedibeng Executive Mayor, Lerato Maloka said, “Today we are hosting the backbone of Sedibeng, the business owners who are on the cold face of all poverty and inequality endured by the people. I appreciate today’s conference by bringing SMMEs together in this manner because they are key to job creation and reducing unemployment and are the drivers of economic growth.”
Makhura added that the Gauteng government has put in place measures to unlock bureaucratic red tapes that are delaying development initiatives in the province.
“Government views the township economy as an integral part of building an inclusive economy in Gauteng. Businesses owned by Black people, women and youth are being supported to ensure that they meaningfully participate in the value chains of major sectors in the economy.”
