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The
conference was a huge success both in terms of delegate turnout and the
high level of speakers that presented at this event.
What was very pleasing about the event was that all stakeholders
were drawn together to establish a strategy for the future of
Potchefstroom’s economy. Represented
at the conference were:
-
Mining
companies
-
International
Small Business consultants
-
Trade
Unions
-
Local
and Regional Government
-
Entrepreneurs
-
Small
Business Owners
-
Banks
and Financial Institutions
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Conference
initiated by:
The City of Potchefstroom
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We
would very much like to thank Satish Roopa, Executive Mayor of
Potchefstroom, for initiating this groundbreaking event and for providing
the framework that resulted in a very successful conference.
The
conference ended with a panel discussion which was an excellent platform
for the exchange of views and an opportunity for delegates to
discuss a strategy for the future economic development of
Potchefstroom and the Potchefstroom Business Initiative.
The
Potchefstroom Business Initiative is a programme of small and medium
enterprise support services, initiated by the Potchefstroom City Council.
This initiative was delivered by Exemplas Limited in the UK in
association with EmPowerLink Business Solutions, a South African Company.
The aim of the Potchefstroom Business Initiative is to dramatically
raise the success rate of SME investments.
The
feedback we have received so far from the conference has been extremely
positive and Omega would like to take this opportunity to thank the City
of Potchefstroom for their involvement in the conference and also all the
speakers for their valuable contributions in making it a success.
It would be remiss for us not to mention our sponsors who put their
weight behind this conference and without whose contribution the event
could not have happened.
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Conference
speakers and their topics:
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Conference
Opened by - Premier Popo Molefe, Premier, North West Province of
South Africa
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The
historical contribution of mining to the economy, its present role
and the future.
Mzolisi
Diliza, Chief Executive, South African Chamber of Mines
The
nature and role of the SME sector in modern economics (the
international dimension).
Prof
Damien McDonnell, Director, Defense Diversification Agency (UK)
The
economic implications of diversifying out of mining.
Dr
Matthys Strauss, Senior Economist, ABSA Corporate Merchant Bank
The
social dimension - a trade union perspective
Humbulani
Tshikalange, Head: Collective Bargaining and Research, National
Union of Mineworkers
Economic
and social development of the rural areas as a result of the SME
sector
James
Motlatsi, CEO, TEBA
Life
and prosperity after mining.
Wayne
Robinson, Vice President in the Chairman's Office, Goldfields
The
nature and role of the SME sector in South Africa
Ian
McLean, Head of Venture
Capital, Omega Venture
Capital Solutions
The
SME sector and creating sustainable and growing businesses
Steve
McAteer, Marketing Director, Exemplas Ltd, UK
Financing
the SME sector
Dave
Rissik, Director, RMB
Corvest
Transferring
Skills
Hein
van der Merwe, Executive Director, Business Skills for SA Foundation
(BSSA)
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Many
thanks
to our fantastic sponsors for all their support:
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Prof
Damien McDonnell, Director,
DDA (UK)
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Steve
McAteer, Marketing Director, Exemplas Ltd, UK |
Wayne
Robinson,
Vice President, Goldfields
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Rob
Castro, Senior Consultant, EmPowerLink Business
Solutions, Councillor Marilize Kruger, Potchefstroom City
Concil
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Ian
McLean, Head
of Venture Capital, Omega
Venture Capital Solutions, Councellor Ray van Rensburg, Potchefstroom City
Council |
Steve McAteer, Marketing Director, Exemplas Ltd, UK, Cllr
Satish Roopa, Executive Mayor, Potchefstroom, Dr Denis
Worrall, Chairman, Omega Investment Research
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