SANDTON - South Africa's Black Industrialists are poised to take a prominent role at an upcoming conference and exhibition organized by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The event, which includes an awards ceremony, will take place on Wednesday at the Sandton Convention Centre.

According to South African Government News Agency, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel announced that over 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the second Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference. The event aligns with the 20th anniversary of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act's (B-BBEE Act) implementation and will focus on the Black Industrialists Programme's impact since its 2016 inception.

The conference aims to highlight the program's achievements and explore avenues for further economic transformation, emphasizing the importance of diverse ownership in South Africa's economy. Discussions will center on pivotal topics such as private sector procurement, new value chain development, and the financial challenges faced by emerging black businesses.

Significant attention will be given to the dtic's recent shift in performance indicators, now prioritizing the Black Industrialists' influence on turnover and job creation, underlining a strategic move toward more inclusive industrial growth. The event will feature contributions from 53 major companies, which will commit to supporting this burgeoning sector.

Additionally, the conference will serve as a marketplace for approximately 200 black industrialists from various industries, collectively representing over R10 billion in turnover. The conclusion of the conference will be marked by an awards ceremony, celebrating ten distinguished contributors to South Africa's economic advancement and inclusive entrepreneurship.