World traders gather in George for business tips

GEORGE NEWS - For the first time in our town's history, George Municipality and stakeholders hosted a Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEW) Week from 13 to 17 November, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs and businesses as far as Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon and Zimbabwe to network and gain invaluable knowledge about trade and the business world.

The event was co-hosted by Suff (Southern Youth Film Festival) Academy and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development. This year a total of 208 countries participated in different events worldwide during GEW Week.

Flagship initiative

Dr Kosie Haarhoff, Deputy Director: Strategic Growth and Economic Development at George Municipality, said the Global Entrepreneurship Week is an annual flagship initiative of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, and aims to foster innovation, empower aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitate collaboration on a global scale.

Seeing the importance of entrepreneurship to global economic advancement and human welfare, in 2008, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation created Global Entrepreneurship Week. Since then, it has grown from a series of events happening only in the US and UK to expanding to over 165 countries.

Global Entrepreneurship Week empowers entrepreneurs in every county and community around the world, especially those individuals who face structural barriers.

During this year's programme, participants from diverse backgrounds and industries gathered to exchange ideas, learn from seasoned mentors and engage in hands-on workshops designed to refine their entrepreneurial skills.

Addressing the attendees are, from left: Mayor Leon van Wyk, Clr Dirk Wessels, Quinton Coetzee, Seda branch manager in the Garden Route and Central Karoo districts and Deputy Director: Strategic Services at George Municipality Dr Kosie Haarhoff.

Leaders in the field

Haarhoff said George Municipality is one of the leading municipalities when it comes to the development of entrepreneurs and innovation. The focus of GEW 2023 is to include entrepreneurs who are disabled.

Some of the sessions are dedicated to these participants. South Africa celebrates National Disability Rights Awareness Month annually from 3 November to 3 December.

He said that now, more than ever, George needs innovative thinkers and problem solvers to address complex challenges. "By nurturing and developing entrepreneurs, we are not only fostering economic growth but also driving innovation, creating jobs, and paving the way for sustainable development. Entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in shaping the future of industries and driving positive change in communities," said Haarhoff.

The GEW programme addresses topics like red tape reduction, financial literacy, entrepreneurial training aimed towards the youth and forex trading.

George Mayor Leon van Wyk welcomed the attendees from as far as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana and Cameroon. He said this week is dedicated to honouring the trailblazers and risk-takers who are building the businesses of the future and generating jobs for our community.

"We are extremely honoured to host the Global Entrepreneurship Network Week in George at the same time that hundreds of other countries globally are hosting the same event," said Van Wyk. "We are so excited to have more than 300 entrepreneurs attending this event to learn, network and understand the entrepreneurial spirit. Some came here to gather information on how to access funds for their ventures and businesses and some young entrepreneurs might want to gain knowledge on how to export their product.

"This platform opens all those opportunities and is a meeting place where people can network, share ideas and ultimately help our George economy. At the end of the day, we need businesses to grow, as well as start-up businesses to provide income and provide goods and services to fellow citizens. It's a wonderful opportunity for our emerging businesses."

Attendees put more questions to the panel.

Strategic move

Portfolio Councillor for Finance and Strategic Services Dirk Wessels said the hosting of the event engaging with up-and-coming entrepreneurs and identify marketplaces where the municipality can promote products from George and the Garden Route is a strategic move for economic development.

"We have a wealth of entrepreneurs in George and surrounds that are already conducting highly profitable domestic and international trade. Thus, it was crucial to include foreign traders in addition to other regional participants in order to provide our young and aspiring entrepreneurs with a platform. Entrepreneurs will gain a thorough understanding of how to get their products into the market, particularly on a global scale, by utilising this networking platform," said Wessels.