Economic Sector Support: Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme

EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME (ECEP)

THE FUND APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN 

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) Fund.

The ECEP Fund 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 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;
• Must be tax compliant at the time of application;
• Audited financial statements/Independently reviewed or compiled 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.

• Application Form for Companies
• Application Form for Intermediaries

The Fund is geared towards businesses that are existing exporters or potential exporters in the following sub-sectors but not limited to:

• Processed Food.
• Beverages.
• Cosmetics.
• Jewellery.
• Transport Equipment.
• Computer, Electronics and Optical Products.
• Rubber and Plastic Products.
• Machinery and Equipment.
• 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.

d) Enterprises not based in the Western Cape.

2. Only applications submitted via the online process, will be considered. No emailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered.

3. The fund is contingent upon budget availability, which will be made accessible through an open fund. The allocation of funds will be at the discretion of the Department, based on evaluation criteria and the availability of budgetary resources. 

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. Briefing sessions were held for businesses/companies and intermediaries/organisations via MS Teams where further clarity about the Export Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (ECEP) Fund was provided. You can click on the following links to view the briefing sessions:

6.1 Businesses/Companies - Click here.

6.2 Intermediate/Companies - Click here.

For more information, contact Mr. Goodwell Dingaan on 021 483 9315 or e-mail us at ECEP@westerncape.gov.za

Return to the ECONOMIC SECTOR SUPPORT homepage.