The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) and eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance South Africa’s maritime agenda.
The focus of the MoU is for the organisations to collaborate in their advocacy work for the maritime industry and to bridge the gap between the private sector and the government to unleash economic growth.
The partnership aims to:
• Give unemployed youth exposure to the boat building sector and equip people for employment opportunities within the sector.
• Develop and implement programmes to enhance the growth and sustainability of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
• Provide business support to SMMEs by facilitating access to resources, including financial, technical and educational support for SMMEs.
• Advocate for policies and regulations that support the growth and development of SMMEs.
• Improve education and training
• Establish a partnership for collaboration in maritime research and innovation initiatives.
MBC executive chairperson, Unathi Sonti, said collaboration was vital for transformation of the sector.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the EMC as we believe that collaboration is key to drive advocacy for an inclusive, progressive and transformed maritime sector as the MBC believes maritime is for us all,” Sonti said.
EMC managing director, Zenzile Gwamanda, said the partnership sought to promote socioeconomic growth and maritime industry capacity building.
MBC is a registered non-profit company (NPC) that offers business support, promotes sustainable jobs and skills development, and lobbies for business opportunities, supporting national and international programmes that seek to promote sustainability in the sector.
EMC is also an NPC with a similar mandate - to support and promote the maritime industry within Durban, although at times it has engaged in work in other parts of KwaZulu-Natal. It is committed to positioning the industry to be globally competitive.
