There has been much talk around the opportunities for regeneration provided by the 2010 world cup in South Africa. Nowhere is this a more viable proposition than in the small business sector, both at a formal and informal level. Thousands of would be entrepreneurs and business owners are already coming up with ideas, products and schemes of how to take advantage of the influx of sports fans and media coverage that the 2010 world cup will bring. It is evident from the report below that the government does have this issue on its agenda, so lets hope that this opportunity benefits the SA people where its most needed.

Ben
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Lavinia Mahlangu reports from Pretoria


"There have been a lot of discussions around how small business can benefit from 2010, particularly because Fifa has a lot of rules [regarding official sponsorships]," said Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe.

"There have been discussions stressing the question of ensuring small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) get a fair deal."

Ms Thabethe was speaking in Pretoria today at a media launch of the first tri-nations summit on small business, being held in Durban between 23 and 26 August.

The summit is being hosted by South Africa's Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and is being attended by its counterparts from Brazil (Sebrae) and India (NSIC).

This is against the background of the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, that was established in 2004 with the aim of deepening South-South cooperation between South Africa, India and Brazil, and to further promote increased market access, trade and investment.

The third session of the IBSA Ministerial Trilateral Commission took place in Rio de Janeiro in March.

Ms Thabethe said according to Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan, SMMEs would have ample opportunities to conduct their business at venues outside stadia.

She said as there would be venues such as pubs with big screen televisions showing matches and similar gatherings of football fans, there would be scope for small business owners to benefit from the soccer spectacular.

"In terms of 2010, as part of the Summit there would be an opportunity for small business to form linkages," said Seda CEO Wawa Damane.

"Us as Seda have specifically provided for South African businesses to exhibit and showcase their products and services during the Summit."

Ms Damane said there was a natural need for business to form linkages and partnerships to gain support.

She said Seda's partnerships with Brazil's Sebrae and India's NSIC would be used to their full potential.

"Working together with these agencies, we will enrich on our programmes"

Ms Damane said Sebrae had about 600 service points in Brazil and had been operating for about 30 years, explaining that Seda hoped to adopt this business model in ensuring "extensive" reach to its beneficiaries.

Aron Kumarja, Director of the NSIC said his organisation had been operating for 50 years, with particular focus on linking the first and second economies in that country.

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