DURBAN - Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal’s (TIKZN) Business Support Fund has been established to assist small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the province that were affected in the July unrest.
The fund was set up by the provincial government’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). It is valued at R30 million.
TIKZN said the unrest in July damaged growth, jobs and transformation and affected investor confidence in the domestic economy.
It said to mitigate the damage caused, it in collaboration with its strategic partners had launched the special fund to support the affected SMMEs in urban, rural and township areas, to restore what has been lost, preserve jobs and continue with efforts to re-industrialise the economy.
The fund would disperse grant ranging from R50 000 up to a maximum of R 1 million per business, subject to the TIKZN Business Support Fund Application approval process.
Applications will open on October 6 and the closing date for submission of applications is October 25.
Neville Matjie, chief executive of TIKZN, said: “We continue to work with all South Africans to rebuild an economy that is more resilient and sustainable. We call on the private sector and other stakeholders to partner with us in forging expeditious solutions to save our all-important SMMEs in affected areas.”
He urged affected and qualifying businesses to take this opportunity and apply for the business recovery support programmes offered.
“We are pleased that through the IDC, TIKZN has been given the baton to assist in facilitating applications for businesses. Our ’one stop shop’ facility will be the point of contact for these businesses,” said Matjie.
Information on the TIKZN business support fund application forms and guidelines can be downloaded from TIKZN website www.tikzn.co.za / business support desk.
Physical documents are also obtainable and can also be returned to: Edtea district offices available in all district municipalities and at the TIKZN offices at Kingsmead Office Park, Kingsmead Boulevard, 1 Arundel Close, Stalwart Simelane Street, Durban, 4001.
Enquiries can be directed to Ndumiso Mlambo, GM, KZN One Stop Shop on email: [email protected], or call 031 368 9600.
THE MERCURY
