THE EASTERN CAPE DEVELOPMENT Corporation (ECDC) and the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci) have signed a strategic agreement to promote black economic empowerment in the region. Project leader Roshan Makan of Percci says the key objectives of the agreement are to develop policies and highlight trends in black economic empowerment (BEE), and to develop a generic implementable BEE model. It also aims to develop a database of BEE suppliers, developmental and support entities in the fields of finance, skills training, business and manufacturing support centres, and a database of opportunities for BEE initiatives. “The ultimate objective is to match Black suppliers with opportunities across all sectors available in the Metro. We will also facilitate aftercare to ensure that these matches are sustainable,” says Roshan “It is imperative for all visionary South Africans to challenge the exclusion of Black entrepreneurs from being economically active and value-adders to the economy. Our economy needs to facilitate and promote BEE as a moral, political, social and economic priority for a secure and prosperous future. This project is a business imperative that needs the support of all stakeholders,” he says. Other major sponsors of this project include ABSA, Shatterprufe, Old Mutual and Algorax.