BDFM, L'AGENCE & EMPOWERMENTSA TAKE BEE TO THE WORLD
Successful and leading business news and information publisher, BDFM, in association with Empowermentsa and Lagence are proud to introduce what has been termed as “the most ambitious BEE project in South African business history”: The Consortium Directory.
Having published the biggest directory of Black executives and decision makers in South Africa, The Little Black Book, as well as the Top Empowerment companies, which is a directory of the most empowered JSE-listed companies in South Africa, BDFM now brings you The Consortium Directory, comprising a comprehensive database of majority-black-owned companies.
It is hoped that The Consortium Directory will spur South African business’ participation and leadership in the African Economic renaissance, utilizing the pillars of Black Economic Empowerment.
After publication, The Consortium Directory will be made available to major stakeholders in South Africa (chambers of commerce, media, financiers, listed companies, industry associations and their leaders, foreign embassies based in south Africa, etc.). It will also be available in all South African embassies globally, foreign-based chambers of commerce, tourist destinations, hotels, conference venues, etc.
This tool will enhance the BEE process because those that have been profiled, and have been identified as potential BEE partner, can then bring these opportunities to their broader investment portfolio.
The Consortium Directory will further enhance BEE consortia in the following fashion:
1. The valuation of profiled BEE companies will be further enhanced once exposed to additional new markets;
2. Leaders of profiled consortia will be have to be operationally involved, not passive, in many of these opportunities;
3. Profiled BEEs will be introduced to other broader BEE consortia. This will ensure that they may team up amongst each other and thus have different offerings to contribute;
4. Foreign companies can offer their tried-and-tested international management training to their local BEE partners;
5. Local entrepreneurs will be in the fore of identifying lucrative markets directly.
The Consortium Directory is targeting consortia that fit the following criteria and profile:
1. Majority Black owned, managed and influenced;
2. Ready to partner foreign companies seeking to comply with BEE legislation;
3. Specialize and/or lead in particular sectors/industries;
4. Can not only sustain South Africa’s current economic growth but grow it even further until 2012;
5. With unique value-adding features (skills, finance, connections, experience, investment portfolio, etc.)
6. Can position South Africa as a springboard for foreign companies wanting continental presence and/or expansion;
7. Will be ready to help South Africa prepare for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, soon after Germany’s games in 2006;
8. Can increase South Africa’s export, globally;
9. Can demonstrate the merits and success of Black Economic Empowerment to every developing economy in the world;
10. Already in existence (with at least one investment).
