This follows the launch of the DTI’s BEE strategy in March, which aims to ensure that more people participate in the economy and become part of government’s broader economic growth strategy based on good governance.
This month also saw the launch of the DTI’s South African Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (Sawen) to give women entrepreneurs a unified voice and a forum for networking.
Sawen, which currently has 1 500 members nationwide, together with the DTI, presented the seminar to share information on the content and process of the BEE draft strategy document with women in business, as well as to discuss and identify business opportunities for women within the strategy.
The seminar also served to determine immediate interventions that would ensure women’s participation and representation in the process and to develop a submission to the DTI as part of addressing the gender gap in the original strategy document.
A Sawen satellite office has been established in the DTI’s Gender and Women’s Empowerment Unit, giving women entrepreneurs a forum to provide inputs on economic policies.
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Lindiwe Hendricks said government’s aim over the next few years will be to see a shift from a small minority of people driving the economy, to the economy being significantly bigger and accommodating a broader range of people.
“In order to support BEE government, has among other things, made substantial funding available to finance black business. Another commitment is to ensure that black women are included in the strategy.
“Today’s workshop is to share information with women so that you can empower yourselves and are better placed to take advantage of the opportunities that will be created through the BEE strategy,” she said.
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