There is a great need to get more young people involved in the agriculture and agro-processing economy.
This was the message at a “Youth in Manufacturing Webinar” hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with Proudly South Africa.
The chief director of export promotion and marketing at the dtic, Joseph Senona, told delegates about various programmes in the export development, promotion and outward investment branch aimed at opening national and international markets for South African producers, especially young and upcoming entrepreneurs. He added that these had a strong emphasis on supporting the productive sectors in manufacturing and agro-processing.
He explained that the goals were to promote the understanding of different trade agreements and opportunities and to ensure they were fully exploited by South African business operators.
The director of industrial financing at the dtic, Donald Mabusela, emphasised that the goal was to promote a whole spectrum of those previously marginalised, with a strong focus on women, the youth and people living with disabilities.