Agro-processing to benefit from new development programme

A total of 25 small businesses will be receiving development funding as part of the recently launched KwaZulu-Natal Exporter Competitiveness Programme.

The programme has been initiated and funded by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and is being implemented in partnership with Productivity South Africa. The Small Enterprise Development Agency had reportedly also pledged funding to support emerging exporters in the province.

A statement by Productivity SA said the key objectives of the programme included improving and modernising exporter practices and infrastructure, creating opportunities for previously disadvantaged people, and enabling small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to actively participate in the KwaZulu-Natal export market.

A brochure released by Trade and Investment KZN highlighted eThala Biofuels based in the uMuziwabantu Local Municipality as one of the agroprocessing operations targeted by the programme. This 100% black-owned and women-led business focused on biorefining sweet sorghum syrup into renewable biomaterials to be used for bioenergy and biofertilisers.

The second agro-processing business being targeted was Richards Bay Leather and Accessories, a company that would be purchasing chrome-tanned leather from both local and international markets and then processing it into finished leather products.

“The automotive industry consumes large volumes of good-quality leather from the South African market. This leaves a huge gap for the supply of quality leather to footwear manufacturers, suppliers of leather accessories, and the export market,” the brochure added.

According to Productivity SA’s statement, in the first phase of the programme, 20 companies each had received a share of R2 million for training and developing their employees. – Lloyd Phillips