22 June 2023
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) is requesting individual companies and intermediaries currently assisting businesses that are exporting or export-ready but are facing technical challenges to access international markets to apply for financial assistance and support through the Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (ECEP).
The ECEP Fund 2023 aims to provide comprehensive support to businesses and organisations that are dedicated to implementing programmes and projects fostering their export initiatives. The programme support will focus on the following services:
- Product reformulation and refinement.
- International packaging, labelling and printing requirements.
- International product certification and standards for international market access.
- Product or service registration with relevant international bodies in export markets.
- International nutritional analysis.
- Specialised shipping requirements.
Funding Criteria
Priority will be given to companies operating in industries with high export potential identified in the Western Cape economy. The financial support provided will be capped at R200 000.00 per company and per intervention. It is envisaged that each participating business will set aside a maximum of seven (7) months for the complete implementation of the identified interventions. The planned intervention intends to develop successful exporters meeting client needs in a professional manner.
Qualifying Criteria
Qualifying businesses must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be a registered legal entity;
- Trading for a minimum of 3 years;
- Two years' financial statements;
- Based in the geographic boundary of the Western Cape;
- Require assistance to grow exports; or
- Expanding into new export markets.
Submission of Applications
1. Applicants must complete the online registration form below and upload their supporting documents. Once submitted a reference number will be issued.
The Fund is geared towards entities that can assist businesses that have been exporting, for at least, the part three (3) consecutive years in the following industries:
- Food Manufacturing.
- Beverage Manufacturing.
- Manufacturing in Jewellery.
- Manufacture of other Transport Equipment.
- Manufacture of Computer, Electronics and Optical Products.
- Manufacture of Rubber and Plastic Products.
- Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment.
- Manufacture of Wearing Apparel.
The following exclusions should be noted when applying for the fund:
a) Operational and working capital.
b) Contributing to production costs or purchase of stock.
c) Building any kind of infrastructure.
2. Only applications submitted via the online process, before the closing date and time, will be considered. No emailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered.
3. The online system will automatically close for submission of applications on 30 June 2023 at midday.
4. Thoroughly read the application guidelines, in the call for proposals document, before completing the online application. The completion of the online form is mandatory.
5. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the online form so that you have the necessary information at hand when completing your application. You can refer to the attached copy of the application form for business, the application form for intermediaries or for an electronic copy of the form as well as the call for proposals. As stated above, only online applications will be accepted.
6. A briefing session (non-mandatory) was held on Tuesday, 06th of June 2023 at 10h00 - 11h00, via MS Teams where further clarity about the Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme was provided. If you missed it, click on the links below to view the briefing session video as well as the presentation.
https://westerncape-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/zubeida_ben-davids_westerncape_gov_za/EcYVwLgeqmhHnTY0Gk7iXrMBoSXJTxnzgEunh-84XMLRqQ?e=zgs5nd