Staff Reporter SOUTH Africa and Africa need skills development to drive the industrialisation required for continued growth on the continent, the minister of trade and industry told Swiss industrialists yesterday. With the International Monetary Fund putting Africa’s growth at 5.5 percent, industrialisation was needed to ensure sustainable growth and development on the continent, said the minister at the Swissmem Industry Day yesterday. The minister is on a brief visit to Switzerland where he has had an opportunity to visit Swiss industries and meet his counterpart, Federal Councillor Johann Schnieder-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. The focus of the industry day was new markets and Davies spoke not only of investment opportunities in SA, but in Africa as a whole. He said things were changing on the continent, and that SA’s contribution to the International Monetary Fund for distressed economies showed just how much they were. “Africa is on the move,” he told members of Swissmem and diplomats at the event in Zurich. Swissmem is an association of the Swiss engineering, electrical and metal industries, and related technology-oriented sectors. Davies said Switzerland and SA had good trade relations and the free trade agreement they had in place could be expanded to include other parts of the continent. If successful, this could give African countries and Switzerland access to each others’ markets. The SA government saw the need for industrial development to drive job creation and was taking action through the establishment of economic zones and infrastructure development, Davies said. He said there were opportunities for Swiss companies in the development of power stations, railways, telecommunications and more. Davies said SA was also embracing green industries. There was no reason why SA could not become involved in manufacturing in this area. Davies cited solar panels as an example. He said jobs were being created, but for skilled workers. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, said more than 100 Swiss companies were trading in SA, creating in the region of 36 000 jobs. Hans Hess, president of Swissmem, said Swiss companies should make the most of globalisation as the opportunities offered by emerging markets outweighed the risks.
Showing posts with label advantage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advantage. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Social Media Gives Industrial Companies Competitive Advantage, Says Thomas Industrial Network Report
Sun, Apr 1, 2012, 12:40 PM EDT - U.S. Markets closed
Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.Monday, January 16, 2012
Take advantage of opportunities under ETP, says Chin
by Norni Mahadi. Posted on January 16, 2012, Monday
NEW TEAM: Chin (second left), flanked by (from left) Lee Kim Shin, Sim Hock Guan and Lawrence Lai, witness the swearing in of the new MCCCI office bearers.
NEW TEAM: Chin (second left), flanked by (from left) Lee Kim Shin, Sim Hock Guan and Lawrence Lai, witness the swearing in of the new MCCCI office bearers.MIRI: The Chinese business community should grab all opportunities available in the government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
In making the call, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin said by so doing they would also be helping to propel the nation forward at a faster rate.
“The ETP was formulated by the government due to the unstable global economy. Its aims include maintaining business competitiveness, woo foreign investments and
create more business opportunities.
“These are all important for the country to become a high income nation by 2020,” he said at the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI)’s annual general meeting (AGM) here yesterday.
Chin told those present that development programmes initiated by the government did not come without a reason.
“Such programmes are implemented to adapt to prevailing circumstances and also meant for the benefit of the people.”
On the MCCCI, he noted that the Chamber had done its bit for the development of the city in recent years.
This include helping to set up Curtin Sarawak, publication of Miri Shopping Guideline Book, donating financially to Chinese schools, and being involved in shophouse facelift projects here.
He urged MCCCI to continue their good work in order to help take Miri to greater heights of development.
Among those present at the gathering were Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Miri mayor Lawrence Lai.
Meanwhile, Pemanca Lee Sie Tong was elected as the new chairman of MCCCI for the year term 2012 to 2014.
He took over the helm from Datuk Sim Hock Guan.
Its vice chairman is Tan Jin Kok, Vincent Y.H. Lu (secretary-general), Ling Chiong Sing (assistant secretary-general), Lee Choon Seng (honorary treasurer) and Sim Soon Tian (assistant honorary treasurer).
Stephen Yong Ho Vui was elected as general affair officer, Chai Min Kian (commercial affairs officer), Soong Chi Khiong (education affairs officer), Pui Yeong Fan (social welfare officer), Sim Yam Leong (public relation officer), Lee Khoi Yun (industry & manpower development officer) and Chia Chon Fatt (taxation & law affairs officer).
The 16 committee members were elected unopposed. They are Chin Teck Leong, Teng Chuong Lung, Ling Kie King, Pui Tin Soon, Chion Yuei Lien, Chong Kin Kyon, Sidney Lau Ka Tee, Liu Toh Pen @ Liew Han Ping, Chu Kok Ching, Alex Tay Kee Tiong, Chong Ken Khee, Un Kiam Kiong, Tan Thin Leong, Andrew Teo Sing Teck, Then Hon Siong and Ngo Say Khiang.
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Saturday, January 7, 2012
Two Santa Cruz County small businesses take advantage of loans from the Opportunity Fund - Santa Cruz Sentinel
SANTA CRUZ - Big banks have been cautious about making small business loans locally but savvy small business owners have found a solution.
Opportunity Fund, based in San Jose, is California's largest nonprofit microlender, loaning $5 million last year to nearly 400 small businesses and is nearing its goal of raising $300,000 in 60 days to create 1,000 jobs.
Local clients include June Ralston, owner of June Bug's Gym in Santa Cruz, and Jovan Sanchez, owner of A-1 Carpet Cleaning in Watsonville.
"They are both great examples of small businesses growing during the recession, even creating jobs," said Caitlin McShane, spokeswoman for Opportunity Fund.
Ralston was the first in Santa Cruz to compete as a gymnast. She stayed with it until she was 17, then switched to horse vaulting, in which she competed internationally. She raised three children, now, 30, 27, and 24 and was teaching preschoolers at Santa Cruz Gymnastics, where she had trained, when she decided to go out on her own.
Two years ago, she teamed up with Tumbling Tutor at 3910 Portola Drive after Rocky's Gym moved out, taking down a wall to expand the space. She then bought out her partner and today, she is serving about 200 families and has three coaches working for her.
She is looking for a second location to make her classes more convenient for Westside families.
Jamie Oldham is among the happy customers. His daughter started at June Bug's when she was not quite 2 and three years later, she still looks forward to going every Friday.
"We've done everything from birthday parties to to the parents' night out, which they do twice a month," he said.
He appreciates how Ralston keeps parents informed with a monthly newsletter, has a Chrismas schedule ready by October and steps in on the floor if needed.
"She's not about the competition, she's about the fun, the nurturing, the learning," he said of her approach, recalling how the children marched, dressed as bugs, in the Aptos Fourth of July parade.
Despite her gymnastics credentials and experience, Ralston found financing hard to get. She turned to her brother to fund startup expenses such as equipment.
Wells Fargo referred her to the Opportunity Fund, which loaned her $2,000 to buy a trampoline net, as a safety measure, and a computer.
"I'll finish paying it off next month," she said.
Sanchez got a loan to buy a carpet-cleaning machine in September to set up his own business.
"My father found the lender," he said.
He had been working with his dad, who started A-1 Janitorial 25 years ago and has six employees.
Business was slow during the holidays, so Sanchez is offering a carpet-cleaning special, two rooms and a hallway for $69 and three rooms and a hallway for $99.
McShane, spokeswoman for Opportunity Fund, said each loan creates or retains an average of 2.4 jobs.
"The Aspen Institute measures and verifies this for us," she said.
The Opportunity Fund is among 180 organizations in a national network of community development financial institutions that support economy activity. One example: A $10,000 loan to Zonia Torres, who runs Shining Stars Family Child Care out of her home in San Francisco. She improved her kitchen and backyard to make the day care safer for children, resulting in three new employees and a waitlist of clients.
Loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 are available from the Opportunity Fund at fixed-rate interest of 8 percent to 12 percent. Applicants can call or apply online.
"The process to apply is pretty simple, and our loan officers are really friendly, I promise," McShane said.
AT A GLANCE
Small business owners in the greater Bay Area in operation for at least a year are eligible for a loan from the Opportunity Fund.
Loans can be used for equipment, commercial vehicles, inventory or permanent working capital, tenant improvements, or business acquisition.
Applicants must have enough income to cover all business and personal expenses, and afford a monthly loan payment, be current on all bills and no late payments in last 12 months, and no excessive credit card debt.
A good repayment history is required, with no unpaid collections, no bankruptcy in the last two years and no unpaid tax liens, judgments or child support.
To apply, call 866-299-8173 or apply online at www.opportunityfund.org/small-business-loans/apply-now.
To contribute to the 1,000 jobs campaign, go to http://1000jobs.opportunityfund.org/
Source: Opportunity Fund
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