The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) welcomed approximately 400 promoters, entrepreneurs and various funding institutions who attended the first Western Cape Funding Fair held on 18 March 2015. The event was a partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Deloitte.
“The CTICC takes pleasure in hosting like-minded organisations that are focused on uplifting the community and stimulating job creation in the Western Cape”, adds Julie-May Ellingson, CTICC Chief Executive Officer.
The event, which was open to the public, comprised of three elements – project pitches, presentations and an exhibition. The entrepreneur-focused workshops were facilitated by Deloitte specialists and various external industry experts.
Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in being a catalyst for the country’s economic growth, job creation and social development. Forty of the top optimistic entrepreneurs who registered were given the opportunity to pitch their business proposal to some of the country’s most established funding bodies. Those who were successful in capturing the interests of funders were invited for further open discussions, in the hope of securing an investment of up to R10-million for their business venture.
“The Western Cape Funding Fair was a successful initiative aimed at strengthening the Western Cape economy. We look forward to hosting many more strategic collaborations such as these, between government and corporates, to ensure that we address crucial issues affecting the sustainability of our economy”, adds Ellingson.
The CTICC has been a pivotal driver of economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape and South Africa, having created and sustained over 83 000 full-time equivalent jobs since it opened in 2003.
According to Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Tourism and Economic Opportunities: "The CTICC is an important part of our economy, because business tourism extends our traditional holiday seasons and business tourists become leisure tourists and, ultimately, investors in our economy".
“With the centre’s imminent expansion, the CTICC will not only continue to contribute to job creation and economic spin-off, but will allow us to host pertinent, concurrent events, such as the Western Cape Funding Fair”, concludes Ellingson.
