Page 50 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

ETHEKWINI MARITIME CLUSTER

www.maritimecluster.co.za

A CHAMPION FOR THE MARITIME 1. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
This programme is positioned to spearhead economic
INDUSTRY
transformation in the maritime sector through
EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) is a non-profit Enterprise Development initiatives, by identifying
company with the mandate to support and promote projects and business opportunities that can benefit
the maritime industry within Durban although at small businesses, which include youth and women
times it has a reach to other areas of KwaZulu-Natal. businesses, assisting the transformation agenda in the
EMC champions and advocates for the maritime maritime industry.
industry through bridging the gap between industrial In 2015 EMC established the incubator and business
policy from government and the private sector, accelerator programmes to assist small businesses
thereby unleashing the economic growth in the to enter the maritime industry. Candidates on
maritime industry. these projects are receiving training and mentoring
to develop their business skills and ensure sound
Since its inception EMC has continued to respond enterprise practises. The project Entrepreneur Me, was
to international best practice within clustering models initiated which addresses the needs of unemployed
within the maritime industry and has created sub- graduates. Unemployed engineering graduates have
clusters along the value chain. The concept of clustering since set up their own enterprises and EMC is assisting
is widely used across the world to unleash economic with their incubation as well as market access.
growth that assists in job creation and enterprise EMC in partnership with Transnet Port Terminal (TPT)
development.
and CVC Africa hosted a successful Information
The objectives of EMC are to: Boot Camp on Friday, 13 April 2018, which was
� Spearhead economic transformation through aimed at identifying hindrances and unfold possible
maritime enterprise development initiatives opportunities for all communities to do business
� Promote the maritime industry locally, nationally within the maritime industry. The Information Boot
and globally Camp which was well attended by entrepreneurs
� Contribute to an inclusive maritime training and across all spheres of business and ages took place at
skills development that will afford equal opportunity the EMC premises.
to all “This initiative is just a continuation of what EMC has
� Facilitate marine manufacturing by promoting local been doing in terms of facilitating the development
shipbuilding, ship repair and boat building to of entrepreneurial skills of SMMEs. We urge you to
increase employment and economic growth work close with our organisation, the Entrepreneur
� Contribute towards the promotion of marine and Me programme in particular because this is just
coastal tourism a beginning. There is so much instore within this
� Promote research capacity in the above programme and we have the right partners on-board”,
programmes for the maritime sector said the Acting Managing Director of EMC, Mrs.
Nomalanga Sokhela.
PROGRAMMES OF THE ETHEKWINI MARITIME 2. INDUSTRY PROMOTION
CLUSTER
This programme is positioning Durban as a Smart Port
EMC has four programmes but is currently looking at City, which will optimise the port-city territories and
incorporating Marine and Coastal Tourism as the fifth the constant cargo flows passing through Durban.
programme and they are: Further to this EMC hosts workshops, conferences,
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