Many of us know that as GEP, we offer financial and non-financial support to Gauteng SMMEs, but have we all taken the time to thoroughly understand our products and services? Our Know Your GEP feature will have our very own colleagues take us through the various services offered by the entity. In this debut feature, we talk to Kutlwano Mahumapelo, a Cooperatives Analyst from the Jo’burg region as he takes us through the GEP Business Development Support (BDS) offering.
Kutlwano, please tell us about BDS?
BDS is implemented through the Regional Operations unit which is headed by Senior Manager: Regional Operations, Fikile Mazibuko. BDS is implemented mainly in regions with Business Analysts and Cooperatives Analysts at the forefront. We assist startups, SMME’s and co-operatives who need services such as business planning, marketing planning, marketing tools, and start-up equipment.
Tell us more about the BDS interventions?
We also provide professional services that include feasibility studies for those who need them as a prerequisite to access finance. Some clients require quality management systems to certify or improve the quality of the products they sell and to ensure product safety. Some clients just need equipment and machinery to help start their operations.
We also offer training which helps entrepreneurs learn important business skills. Many entrepreneurs do not have the skills that are required to run a business successfully. Our training seeks to fill some of these gaps.
Who qualifies for this support?
Okay, the first thing is that the business must be operating and registered or if it is a startup, it must prove that they are ready to operate. We also require supporting documents such as a tax clearance, bank statement, and proof of business address to ensure that the business is Gauteng based. Depending on the type of business, we may ask for other supporting documents, for example. You cannot sell alcohol without a liquor license, those are basically the qualifying criteria of BDS.
What kind of difference do you think BDS makes in the economy?
You must understand that as an agency of the Department of Economic Development, tasked with driving growth through SMMEs, it is our duty to increase the opportunities for success for Entrepreneurs. I have seen many entrepreneurs start with BDS and go on to grow their businesses in the mainstream economy and by doing so, creating employment and safeguard livelihoods.