South Africa has won three prestigious awards at the 10th Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), which was held in Istanbul, Turkey.

“The GEC gathers together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and other start-up champions from more than 170 countries to identify new ways of helping founders start and scale new ventures around the world,” the Department of Small Business Development said in a statement.

The department with its partner, 22 on Sloane, Africa’s largest start-up campus, picked up the Global Entrepreneurship Country of the Year Award.

Team South Africa also won the Brand Champions and Research Champions awards during the ceremony, which recognises Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) countries from around the world.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, and her delegation attended the congress.

Minister Zulu commended Team South Africa on their commitment and dedication to advancing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa.

“It’s a great honour for us to be able to bring home these prestigious awards. Team SA has done us proud as these awards are recognition of their commitment to advancing SMMEs,” Minister Zulu said.

Last year, South Africa hosted the annual congress, where then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of SMMEs and cooperatives and their contribution towards the economy.

– Source:  SAnews.gov.za