SABTIA facilitates discussion between incubation professionals and stakeholders

Participants at the SABTIA regional stakeholder event hosted at The Innovation Hub in February this year.

The South African Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA), hosted a regional stakeholder event to promote networking amongst member organisations and stakeholders, and to lobby to local and provincial government.

Hosted at The Innovation Hub in Pretoria, the early morning breakfast meeting profiled Deputy Director General of Economic and Development Planning for Gauteng, Mr Sibusiso Xaba, who outlined the economic development plans for the Province. He specifically highlighted enterprise development aimed at creating opportunities for partnerships and cooperation amongst the various stakeholders involved in SMME development.

SABTIA also invited Mr Lovemore Makunike, CEO of the Sedichem Chemical Technology Incubator based in Sedibeng, to showcase his Incubator. Sedichem is a case study in mutually beneficial collaboration, demonstrating how local and provincial government, academic institutions, science councils and private organisations can work together to support incubation, SMME development and sector-specific economic growth.

A tangible outcome of the event was an invitation to SABTIA to participate in the Gauteng Development Strategy (GDS) Forum. The Forum's vision is one of creating a better life for all through long-term, sustainable economic growth, socio-economic development, job creation, and reducing poverty and unemployment.

Established in 2004 to coordinate and promote business incubation in South Africa, SABTIA aims to coordinate and promote incubation in South Africa. Amongst other goals, SABTIA provides a platform for networking and information sharing, and the promotion of best practice in incubator management. Regional events similar to this will be held throughout the year.

For more information on SABTIA, visit their website at www.sabtia.org.za

[Back to top]

Next