Various stakeholders will meet tomorrow in Midrand to formulate a broad-based black economic empowerment strategy for Gauteng.
The strategy will take cognisance of the ICT empowerment charter guidelines and help small ICT companies to meet the charter requirements.
The Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Affairs consultative forum will see various stakeholders giving input on a strategy to develop the province`s BEE transformation and economic development.
"The department will be engaged in a consultative forum with various stakeholders including organised business, organised labour, as well as the BEE charter committees, for their input into the strategy," says Gauteng Department of Finance and Economics Affairs spokesman Percy Mthimkhulu.
"Premier Mbazima Shilowa and the Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Paul Mashatile, are expected to launch a BEE strategy in July, to fast-track transformation and economic development in the province."
Mthimkhulu says as part of the project, the Gauteng Provincial Government has set aside R17 billion that will largely benefit BEE companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Eighty percent of the money set aside will largely go to the development of the BEE companies, SMEs that embrace the transformation process, and research projects that will help improve infrastructures such as roads, transport, water and housing."
He says delegates at the indaba will tackle issues such as BEE procurement, compliance, SME development and the ICT sector skills shortage in the province.
"The indaba brings together various stakeholders who will express different views, ideas and recommendations with regards to how to go about improving BEE and economic development in the province," says Mthimkhulu.
"Part of the indaba discussions includes the 2014 target the province has set for itself to improve the economic development as well as the ICT BEE charter, which is expected to be in operation in mid-2005.
"The launch of the province`s BEE strategy is in line with the ICT empowerment transformation process, therefore it will set guidelines for BEE companies and SMEs, ensuring Gauteng businesses know how to comply with the charter document requirements.
"Input from various stakeholders is of vital importance. Without partnership between government and the industry we cannot reach our milestone," says Mthimkhulu.
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