Small Medium and Micro Enterprises Fair Kicks Off

The fifth annual Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Fair, held at the Blackrock Casino, kicked off this week.

Small business owners of various sectors gathered in their numbers, in support of the event.

The aim, according to organisers, was for SMMEs to gain information on how to grow their businesses.

Programme Director and Strategic Executive Director for the Department of Economic Development and Human Settlements, Thuli Thusi welcomed business owners and elaborated on the purpose of the fair.

“This is to assist small businesses to expand their horizons and take advantage of new opportunities.”

Mayor, Afzul Rehman attended the event and addressed the crowd on innovative ways to promote economic development, as well as create a conducive environment for businesses to prosper.

“We cannot achieve this on our own, unless we listen to the people,” said Cllr Rehman.

He encouraged small business to ask for assistance and intervention from the Newcastle Municipality on how they could grow their business and create employment.

“We should continue to grow Newcastle by bringing foreign direct investment into our town, in order to create sustainable and quality jobs.”

He added: “A staggering 37 per cent of the towns’ people is unemployed.”

His vision remains to create a model city by alleviating unemployment by economic development, poverty and education programmes.

The Small Medium Micro Enterprise Fair will continue until the end of the week. All small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend to gain more insight into starting and developing their own businesses.