05/01/2021
SEDA call for proposals for funding for localisation and small enterprises in agro-processing
Greetings for the new year to all,
Below is a call for proposals for funding from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) of business incubators and accelerators for localisation and small enterprise development (including coops). This could apply to nurseries, biopesticides, compost manufacturing, vermiculture etc as well as small scale agro-processing.
Deadline for submissions 11 Jan.
Request for Proposals: Localisation and Enterprise Supplier Development
The South African Cabinet took a decision to adopt an approach of industrialisation through localisation to rebuild the productive sector of the South African Economy, create jobs and transform the ownership patterns of the South African economy to become inclusive. SMMEs are the largest number of businesses in South Africa, estimated to range between 2.4 and 3.5 million, with the largest number in the informal and micro level of business activity. Given the size and the reach of SMMEs in South Africa, and their meaningful participation in economy, particularly in the productive sectors of the economy, there is a need to expand the extent of the participation of the previously disadvantaged ones in the mainstream of the economy.
Localisation through targeted import replacement and support of utilisation of local services is one of the priorities for small business development. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) through its implementation agency, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is therefore calling upon Business Incubators and Accelerators that can provide Technical Incubation and Enterprise Development Support to local product manufacturers to substitute imports and facilitate linkages to wholesale and retail shelves, to submit proposals for funding. The proposal must demonstrate how the incubators will streamline their Enterprise Supplier Development Support Services towards the following goals:
1. Building the manufacturing Capacity of SMMEs;
2. Contribute towards the Coordinated Import Replacement Plan for the SMMEs to be supported;
3. Establish a route to market for SMME manufactured products into local wholesale, retail and Africa markets;
4. Preparation and support SMMEs towards export market pe*******on;
5. Service localisation to allow development of future skills;
6. Support SMMEs to adopt innovation and digitization; and
7. Link SMMEs with relevant funding instrument including the Manufacturing Support Scheme to support SMMEs requiring assistance to increase their production capacity and other relevant support.
Prioritized focus areas for the programme are as follows:
1. Food and beverages industry including agro-processing;
2. Furniture and general use products;
3. Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals;
4. Clothing, leather and textile products;
5. Beauty and personal care products;
6. Petroleum and chemical products including hygiene products;
7. Plastic and Packaging products;
8. Materials and Supplies (Building, Road construction, & hardware) and
9. Pulp, wood and paper products.
Detailed Proposals must be submitted no later than Monday, 11 January 2021 by email to: [email protected] and/or [email protected] For more information contact: Mr Fhatuwani Tshikovhi ([email protected])
Please note all SMME’s and Cooperatives that will be supported must be registered on SMME SA www.smmesa.gov.za
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