Latest news with #ESD
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Programme helps SMMEs grow, improve
Air Liquide, in collaboration with the Lean Enterprise Acceleration Programme (LEAP) and the Secunda Business Hub, hosted a networking event for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) at the Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club recently. The event brought together 36 SMMEs taking part in Air Liquide's enterprise supplier development (ESD) programme. Part of the event provided a platform for these SMMEs to connect, showcase their products and services, explore new opportunities for collaboration and celebrate their growth and success. The owners of five SMMEs shared in a panel discussion how the programme had helped them start their enterprises and supported their growth and improvement. The programme also provides office space at the BBBEE Hive, creating a professional environment that helps entrepreneurs cut rental costs and build relationships with other businesses. The SMMEs emphasised the value of the guidance they received in adopting structured approaches and implementing business systems to streamline operations. The hub received praise for its accessibility, with facilities that accommodate individuals with disabilities. 'Air Liquide is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of SMMEs in Secunda, home to the world's largest oxygen production plant,' said Nkululeko Magadla, the general manager of Air Liquide. 'Providing platforms for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing is vital for businesses to thrive and make a meaningful contribution to economic development. 'Accordingly, this initiative highlights our commitment to SA's transformation agenda,' said Dr John Eliastam, the LEAP group general manager. Author and businessman Khathu Maestro was the keynote speaker and inspired the entrepreneurs and business owners with his words. Khathu Maestro, author, businessman and the event's keynote speaker, inspired entrepreneurs and business owners with his words. ALSO CHECK: Span maak gedenksteen op Vrede uit 1901 reg ALSO CHECK: Boy from Secunda faces new health setbacks as family seeks second opinion At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Why corporate giants need to champion SME skills development in South Africa
Many SMEs lack the financial resources to invest in training that would improve the quality of their products or services. By providing financial and resource support, corporates can bridge this gap and enable SMEs to develop the skills needed to meet industry standards. Image: File Though the buzzwords 'job creation' and 'economic growth' often dominate boardroom discussions, it is the humble Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that truly bring these concepts to life. SMEs are the ones taking risks, hiring locally and revitalising our markets. Yet, they are the ones struggling, particularly in accessing the skills they desperately need. The growth potential is clear - SMEs do not simply fill gaps in the market, they create new ones. They innovate and they adapt with a nimbleness that bigger entities lack but this potential is often choked by a lack of resources, especially in upskilling their workforce. It is unrealistic to expect SMEs to compete on a global scale, if they're perpetually battling to stay afloat due to a skills deficit. Corporate self-interest - strengthening the supply chain Many SMEs lack the financial resources to invest in training that would improve the quality of their products or services. By providing financial and resource support, corporates can bridge this gap and enable SMEs to develop the skills needed to meet industry standards. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ To put it bluntly, this is a prime opportunity for corporates to provide real support for SMEs by funding training programmes that enhance their capabilities. The argument for corporates to step in isn't just a matter of social responsibility, it's directly related to self-preservation. Given the sheer scale of interconnected global economies, supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link. By investing in SME skills development through Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) initiatives, larger organisations are not just throwing a lifeline; they're strengthening their own position. An SME with a well-trained workforce is a more reliable supplier, a more innovative partner, and a more capable contributor to the wider ecosystem. Strategic investment with skills development as a priorityThrowing money at the problem isn't enough. Too often, ESD funds are misdirected, or worse, squandered, because the recipient lacks the business acumen to manage them effectively. This is where the "skills" part of "skills development" must be brought sharply into focus. SMEs and their workforces require a diverse skill set on top of the basics of management skills, financial literacy, and administrative capabilities. Equipping individuals with these competencies ensures that the right people, possessing the right skills, are in place to maximise the Return on Investment (ROI) from ESD funding. Putting the focus on skills development in the right placeTo achieve this, a dedicated portion of every ESD investment must be explicitly earmarked for comprehensive training. This isn't as complicated as it sounds. To maximise the impact of these initiatives, corporates should partner with accredited training providers, who will bring in the experts to deliver impactful, relevant programmes, tailored to the unique requirements of the SME. Let's not forget the operational burdens that often cripple SMEs - the endless admin, the cash flow struggles, the constant juggling of multiple roles – these are the realities that prevent entrepreneurs from focusing on growth. Corporates can step in to alleviate these burdens by providing resources for administrative support, or by facilitating learnerships and internships where relevant, to give SMEs, the breathing room they need to move beyond survival. Stepping up to champion SME skills developmentIn short, it's about building the human capital that will drive long-term success. By outsourcing training to reputable providers, corporates can ensure that SMEs receive high-quality, relevant skills development that directly contributes to their growth. Such a partner would manage the skills development aspect of the investment from start to finish - covering everything from training materials to compliance reporting, making it almost effortless on the corporate's part to contribute to the growth of SMEs through their supply chain. To get there, however, a paradigm shift needs to happen. Corporate South Africa needs to move from a mindset of charity to a mindset of strategic partnership. This isn't about handouts; it's about investing responsibly in the future of businesses and communities. It's about recognising that when SMEs thrive, South Africa thrives. Daniel Orelowitz is MD at Training Force. Daniel Orelowitz, MD at Training Force. Image: Supplied. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
T Wallet clocks 16 lakh registered users in 8 years
HYDERABAD: India's first state-managed digital wallet, T Wallet has recorded 16 lakh registered users and processed over four crore transactions in its eight-year journey since its launch in 2017, the state government's Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) wing under the ITE&C Department announced on Thursday. Introduced during the 2016 demonetisation, T Wallet continues to drive digital payments across the state. The wallet enables a range of services, including Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)-based real-time bank transfers, utility bill payments, service fee payments, and merchant transactions. T Wallet is integrated with MeeSeva's 4,500 plus centres and 11,000 plus fair price shops, ensuring accessibility in remote and rural areas, with options for citizens to use it via mobile app, web, or assisted services for those without mobile access. Launched on June 1, 2017, T Wallet was a pioneering response to the 2016 demonetisation, aiming to promote cashless transactions in Telangana. Its flagship IMPS feature allows direct bank account transfers, setting it apart from traditional wallets that rely on peer-to-peer transactions or UPI and offering 24/7 availability for seamless banking integration. The ITE&C department emphasised T Wallet's role in enhancing financial inclusion, particularly in underserved regions, with its growth over eight years underscoring its importance as a state-led digital payment solution for Telangana's citizens.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
T Wallet hits 16 lakh users, 4 cr transactions
Hyderabad: India's first state-operated digital wallet, T Wallet, has reached a major milestone with 16 lakh registered users and over four crore transactions processed over its eight-year journey since its official launch in 2017. Developed by the electronic service delivery (ESD) division of the IT department, T Wallet was introduced on June 1, 2017, during the post-demonetisation push for digital payments. According to officials, it remains one of the few, if not the only, state-run payment applications in India to have facilitated transactions worth nearly ₹35 crore. "T Wallet enables a wide range of services including real-time IMPS-based bank transfers, utility bill payments, service charges, and merchant transactions," said Ravi Kiran Tirumala, commissioner of ESD. The platform has a strong grassroots presence, being integrated with over 4,500 MeeSeva centres and more than 11,000 fair price shops across Telangana. This extensive network ensures accessibility in rural and remote areas, with services offered through the mobile app, web portal, and assisted service channels for citizens who do not have smartphones. T Wallet's inclusive and scalable model drew international attention when it was showcased during the second G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion meeting in 2023 as an example for the Global South—demonstrating that even economically disadvantaged citizens can meaningfully engage with digital finance.
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business Recorder
ESD rescues 211,354 victims in May
LAHORE: Emergency Services Department rescued 211,354 victims while responding to 210,360 emergencies across Punjab in May 2025. These emergencies includes 140,645 medical emergencies, 39,978 road traffic crashes, 5,526 falls/ slip, 4,746 crime incidents, 4,131 fire incidents, 4,003 delivery cases, 2,389 Occupational Injuries, 1,336 Animal Rescue, 1,038 electric shock, 331 burn cases, 140 drowning incidents, 96 structural collapses and 6,001 miscellaneous operations in Punjab. Expressing serious concern over 39,978 road traffic crashes, 4,131 fire emergencies and 140 drowning emergencies during the May 2025, the Secretary, Emergency Services Department (ESD) Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer urged all citizens to ensure safety precaution while visiting water recreational sites during Eid vacations. He emphasized the importance of strictly following all safety measures, especially when engaging in swimming or other water activities. He specifically advised people not to enter the water or boat without wearing life jackets and overloading boats to avoid capsizing. As per data, 436 people died in 39,978 Road Traffic Crashes in Punjab during the last month. Out of these traffic crashes, the majority of traffic accidents 7,384 occurred in Lahore in which 38 people died. Similarly, 2,671 RTCs in Faisalabad, 2,527 RTCs in Multan, 2,139 in Gujranwala, 1,491 in Sheikhupura and 1,290 in Bahawalpur while the remaining 22,466 road traffic crashes took place in other districts of Punjab. Similarly, the majority of fire incidents took place in major districts i.e., 602 incidents in Lahore, 300 in Faisalabad, 206 in Gujranwala, 187 in Sialkot, 184 in Sheikhupura and 174 in Rawalpindi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
