 Now that we have gathered to take stock of the progress of the past year its my pleasure to welcome all delegates, guests, friends of NIC, Sponsors, Media and all present.
A special welcome and thanks to the executive committee and staff of NIC for the hard work during the year.
Our endeavour to promote manufacturing through assisting our members to sustain their business will not go unnoticed. The vision and the mission of NIC will not be accomplished if we do not see South African Manufacturers competing globally and taking the Chinese products head on competition. It is our objective to see NIC member product on the shelves of all the major big retail stores in South Africa and abroad.
The country faces challenges which include unemployment low production of goods, imports, that are in the increase, slow growth in the manufacturing sector particularly from the previously disadvantages community. The Economic transformation is slowly catching cold. There is a need to accelerate the Black Economic Empowerment activities.
The growth of the economy is seen to be benefiting one side of the population thus it become imperative for this conference to deliberate on. “Integrating the first and the second economy with special reference to the second Manufacturing and service sector” More production from our own factories will create more Jobs, uplift the community, add value to the country’s raw material usage and thus creating healthy, balanced and stable economic growth.
The country’s target of 6% growth will become a reality if and only if the economic drive is fuelled from the small and medium enterprises. So let us all convey the message and convince all stake holders to do more than a lip service to SMME development but make serious efforts to invest, time, money and skill in developing this important sector of the economy.
The NIC EXCO have kept the vision to make NIC a self sustainable organization hence the effort to strengthen the investment Trust in NIC by working towards income generating projects.
Our special gratitude and acknowledgement goes to Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for a continuous support to the Manufacturing sector. Seda have now become a real friend of the Manufacturers by supporting the NIC Manufactures supplier programme.
The relationship with NAFCOC has always continued and our gratitude goes to the leadership for keeping the fires burning. Special welcome and gratitude to the NAFHOLD for the continued support to NIC over the past years.
Please enjoy your stay!
MR. S.S SKHOSANA
NIC President |
