What is the Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS)?
The Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) is a scheme that compensates for costs in respect of the approved activities aimed at the development of South African emerging exporters through events. This incentive provides financial support for physical and digital events participation by qualifying emerging exporters. The purpose of the Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) is to enable the funding of non-profit business organisations in sectors and sub-sectors of industry prioritised by the dti.
Organisations supported under SSAS include Export Councils, Joint Action Groups, SEDA, Provincial Investment and Economic Development Agencies, Industry Associations and those involved development of emerging exporters.
The Objectives of the Sector Specific Assistance Scheme
- Developing emerging exporters
- Introducing emerging exporters to new markets
- Stimulating job creation through increased exports
- Broadening the export base of local suppliers
- Proposing solutions to factors inhibiting export growth
- Promote broader participation of historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to the economy, with a specific focus on women, youth and majority owned enterprises by people with disability.
Benefits:
Generic Funding – R50 000 grant for establishing export council.
Grant for marketing, advertising and publicity costs on a 2:1 basis, to a maximum of R1m.
Project Funding – 80:20 cost-sharing grant for projects to develop particular sectors, find new export markets and promote black SMMEs, women, youth and people with disabilities.
Project Funding for Emerging Exporters – Travel & accommodation, exhibition costs, transport of samples and marketing materials, to a maximum of R1.5 million
The applicant is required to complete SSAS Form A and submit the form to the Export Council Secretariat.
Applications to form Export Councils, an Industry Association, and / or a Joint Action Group must be submitted to the Export Council Secretariat sub-unit of the Export Development. Applicants are obliged to consult with the corresponding Sector Desk of the DTI before submitting applications. Existing registered Industry Associations also need to go through a formal process of registration for recognition as a partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
