New York City, NY - The U.S. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the National Business Initiative of South Africa, will partner in setting up the first South African Supplier Diversity Council.
The Council will be modelled after the NMSDC, a U.S. corporate membership organization with nearly 40 years of experience in promoting and facilitating supplier diversity. In South Africa, supplier diversity will involve the process of integrating a growing pool of previously under-used and marginalized black suppliers into corporate supply chains in a sustainable way, using targeted procurement and enterprise development. The SA Supplier Diversity Council will draw its membership from corporations based or operating in South Africa.
"The creation of such an organization in South Africa will provide a business platform for Black South Africans to have greater opportunities and participation in their nation's economy," said NMSDC President Harriet R. Michel. "Economic empowerment is one of the great equalizers, and I hope the SASDC will enhance economic integration and stability through black business development."
The new SA Supplier Diversity Council follows the establishment of NMSDC global link partners in Canada, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. The SASDC will initially be set up with the support of the South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL)
program, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The SASDC will be a corporate led organization and will be funded by member subscriptions and services fees.
"The partnership between the National Business Initiative and NMSDC to set up the SASDC comes at an opportune time. South African corporations are exploring meaningful ways to support transformation that will enhance their competitiveness and
sustainability and underpin stability of this young democracy. The US and South Africa share similar histories, and it is an important legacy for NMSDC to become involved and to support the people of South Africa," said National Business Initiative CEO Andre Fourie.
"This relationship will provide us with access to the rich history and experience of the NMSDC and U.S. firms committed to supplier diversity that underpins our commitment to equitably promote SouthAfrica's economy and job creation opportunities. We need to deal with the ongoing economic consequences of the apartheid era, while ensuring that we become globally competitive."
For more information on The National Minority Supplier Development Council please visit their website.
For more information on the National Business Initiative go to their website.
