BB engages SA retailers over local empowerment
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday September 9, 2016 14:52
The proposal will address the commitment of the SA retailers towards local procurement, skills development enhancement programmes, job creation as well as contribution to initiatives to up skill local suppliers.
According to BB chief executive officer, Racious Moatshe the consultation with the SA retailers is ongoing, following the meeting that was held between them and the South African Business Forum (SABF) last month.
“Consultations are still ongoing. We want their commitment towards skills development enhancement programmes in terms of training, technology transfer to mention a few,” he said.
According to Moatshe, once the negotiations are concluded, they will be shared with the ministry of investment, trade and industry for implementation.
Earlier, Moatshe said they have decided to engage the SABF after it emerged through their consultations with local retailers that most SA counterparts do not give local produce preferential treatment.
“Many business operations locally are from South Africa, and we have gathered that most of them do not give preferential treatment to local produce hence we decided to engage them. Retailers have raised a lot of issues that we will be discussing in this consultation,” he said.
Moatshe further stated that the aim of the consultations was to come up with solutions that would ensure that both parties from South Africa and local retailers play a significant role towards the development of the private sector.
Meanwhile SABF executive director, Dennis Mashabela said they are ready to work with local entrepreneurs, empower them and urged locals to improve and produce quality products.
“The retail sector is pivotal in each economy and for the sector to grow, retailers should ensure that they improve their supply chain capability, quality of products that need to be supplied in order to develop the export market,” said Moatshe.