KAROO NEWS - “Not bringing the horse to the water but bringing the water to the horse.” With this apt metaphor, Councillor Xolile Galada summarised the purpose and importance of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) for establishing a Karoo Region Satellite Office in Graaff-Reinet to increase its footprint and visibility in the Sarah Baartman District (SBD).

During the launch of the new office held at the Alex Laing Hall in Kroonvale on Friday 19 May the excitement of what this new office can do in the greater SBDM area could be felt.

Addressing mistakes of the past and providing a platform where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) can knock on the door for guidance, funding, and networks to create a sustainable future for themselves within their area and even on a national and global scale.

In collaboration with the office of the mayor in the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality, and with the support of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality the ECDC is aimed at promoting and coordinating inclusive economic development through innovative finance and investment solutions. 

The main purpose of the satellite office is to minimise the distance travelled by people from the Karoo Region of the District (Dr Beyers Naude and Blue Crane Route Municipalities) to Gqeberha to access services and support that ECDC offers to MSME’s and eliminate a hit-and-run scenario due to time constraints of travelling.

Mpumie Fundam, head of Financial Support and Business Incentives at the ECDC, urged business owners employing less than 200 employees to make use of their services, apply for funding and that together a flourishing relationship can grow.

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