Growthpoint inducts 17 small businesses into its ESD programmes, township entrepreneurs to be recognised, and more...
As part of its enterprise development and supplier development efforts, Property Point, a Growthpoint Properties initiative, has welcomed 17 new small businesses to both its enterprise development and supplier development programmes in 2016.

The initiative was founded by Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest JSE-listed property company, in 2008.

So far, almost 100 businesses have participated in Property Point’s two-year programme, enabling them to generate over R451 million in procurement opportunities, with a reported revenue growth of a remarkable 54.5%.

Property Point’s two year incubation programme is an intensive course for select SMEs where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to run a business properly as well as access to business opportunities in the property sector. (Biznis Africa)

Township entrepreneurs to be recognised
The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) will host the inaugural Township Entrepreneur Awards on 12 March 2016 at The University of Johannesburg's Soweto Campus, celebrating township business owners

The awards are endorsed by the Black Business Council and NAFCOC. They aim to recognise and celebrate inspirational businesses coming from the province’s disadvantaged areas from Meadowlands to Mamelodi.

"In Gauteng, the plight of youth unemployment has hit our young even harder than the rest of the country," said Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile.

BRICS Development Bank officially open for business
The New Development Bank is formally open for business, says National Treasury.

The bank is in the process of establishing its Africa Regional Centre in Johannesburg, as announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his 2016 Budget Speech.

According to the 2016 Budget Review, South Africa’s first instalment of R2 billion was paid in December last year, and the budget makes provision for further commitments over the medium term.

"This initiative gives impetus to our role as a financial centre for Africa, and will facilitate access to global finance by African investors and institutions," said Minister Gordhan.

The bank is backed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - collectively known as BRICS. It opened its headquarters in Shanghai in July 2015.

The bank lends money to developing countries to help finance infrastructure projects, and is seen as an alternative to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

According to National Treasury, the bank has begun its recruitment process, and South Africans are encouraged to apply. (SA News)