Trade programme to take business to the UK
SANDTON - Up and coming entrepreneurs were put under the spotlight as they presented their businesses in a bid to win a trading visit to Britain.
This was all part of the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation’s (Medo) international trade programme in Bryanston. Medo provides an array of opportunities and services to emerging micro businesses.
The 11 entrepreneurs, all from the information and communications technology sector, presented their motivation to a panel consisting of top executives.
According to Noluthando Tutani, project manager at Medo, the initiative began in 2012 as a way to assist micro businesses and expose them to international markets.
“The programme was also a way to help business owners build social relations in the UK and scale their businesses,” she said.
Tutani explained that the 11 finalists were selected using a stringent process which included various interviews and a boot camp to fully prepare them for the presentation. She added that Medo would also provide a variety of services which would assist the winning entrepreneur’s business to even grow further.
CEO of Medo, Judi Sandrock praised the initiative and said it would act as a gateway to bigger opportunities for South African businesses.
“South African entrepreneurs can reach the global levels of their international counterparts, and the business deals they are able to secure on the UK visits are tremendous,” she said.
Joanne Shields, chief operations officer for British Telecom’s Global Services, said her company had been sponsoring the programme for the past two years because of some of the benefits involved.
“It will be beneficial to our company and the entrepreneurs because it will provide a wealth of opportunities, and we may also utilise some of their services if it will assist our company, so it’s a win-win for all,” she explained.
