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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
For SADC Project Promoters
Q: What is the difference between ESIPP and Mines 2006?
A: ESIPP is a programme promoting investment partnerships
between several sectors, only one of which is mining. ESIPP is financed by the
EU and implemented in partnership with the SADC Secretariat. This programme in
this particular sector is referred to as Mines 2006.
Q: Is this invitation open to any business in SADC?
A: This phase of the ESIPP program applies to the mining
sector in SADC countries only. If your business provides any product or service
to the sector and provided it meets the eligibility criteria defined by ESIPP,
you qualify for inclusion.
Q: What are the eligibility criteria defined by ESIPP?
A: There are several criteria, which are broadly:
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Mining 2006 targets existing registered businesses in the
mining sector i.e. with a demonstrated track record of performance
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You will qualify to participate in the SPM if you have a
proposal or project opportunity which will be of interest to an investment
partner and which is viable!
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Viability of the proposal will be assessed by the programme
“investment facilitators” who will be visiting your country
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Note that preference will be given to those businesses who
are able to contribute to their project proposal
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If your proposal is approved and we can identify a potential
investment partner for you, both partners will be required to provide proof of
due diligence.
Q: Can I apply to ESIPP to start up a partnership in a new business venture?
A: The program covers growth and expansion of
existing businesses and the start up of new projects or ventures but remember
that ESIPP is a business-to-business initiative so that you need to demonstrate
that you have a business track record in the mining industry. The programme is
unlikely to support start up enterprises that have no track record.
Q: What exactly is the assistance to be offered by ESIPP?
A: At this stage in the process, ESIPP’s assistance consists
of the following:
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Placing your company profile on a website prior to the SPM
event at the end of the year
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Proactively looking for a partner for you to meet with at the
SPM
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Technical assistance which prepares you for the
business-to-business meeting in February 2006 (e.g. with how to structure a
deal, what your business plan should consist of for the meeting)
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Facilitating a match between you and potential partners
Q: Is there a local contact person who I can speak to about ESIPP
A: Each SADC country has its own contact point which you will
be advised of; it will probably be your local engineering council or industry
association.
Q: How will European or other SADC businesses get to find out about any
business or project proposal I submit?
A: There are two main strategies. The first is that we are
working with a team of European consultants who will be actively looking for
partners for you. Secondly we will publicize a profile of your company on the
event website: www.Mines2006.com This is intended to promote your company prior
to the SPM event; it will not be used to disclose confidential information
about your company nor give away your company ideas.
Q: At what stage will potential partners / investors meet?
A: In order to meet potential investors, you will
need to travel to Johannesburg to attend the Sectoral Partnership Meeting (SPM)
Q: If someone contacts me about a partnership, can I discuss and/or meet and
negotiate directly with them?
A: The purpose of the SPM is to give you an
opportunity to meet with potential investment partners and to decide, on this
basis, who you think you may like to do business with. Potential partners will
only be introduced at the SPM, not beforehand.
Q: I am concerned that confidential business or project ideas can be viewed
by other competitors on the web site; how will ESIPP protect the
confidentiality of these proposals?
A: The proposals will not be displayed until the
start of the SPM.
Q: Can I submit more than one business or project proposal?
A: You may submit up to three proposals although not
all may be assessed as viable.
Q: Does ESIPP require that I go into a full business partnership/ joint
venture forever or can we form a partnership for one contracting ‘project’
only?
A: The nature of the partnership is between the
partners; you are under no obligation to bind yourself to the partner
indefinitely or in an unlimited way. Our role is simply to facilitate an
introduction; your role is to determine the nature of the transaction.
Q: May I form a joint venture with another company from my country in order
to attract a business partner?
A: Sure! You will be required, in the application
process, to disclose who your local and / or foreign partners are if you have
any and what their contribution to the proposal will be.
Q: If I am already in some form of a partnership with a European or SADC
business, do I still qualify for ESIPP assistance?
A: Yes, see above.
Q: What steps do I take if I want to participate in this programme?
A: Please do the following:
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Complete the application form which provides us with
information on (a) your company and (b) your proposal or project opportunity
idea
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Please e-mail this information to the investment facilitator
for your country
Q: What happens next?
A: See the following:
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We will acknowledge receipt of your application and register
you in our database of Mines 2006 applicants
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We will assess your application in consultation with the
local country contact
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If the outcome of this is positive, we will:
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Forward your application to our partners in the EU to help
them in their search of a potential partner for you
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Inform you of the outcome and invite you to develop a
business plan for the partnership opportunity that you envisage
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Invite you to a seminar in your country later in the year
which will prepare you for the SPM
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Prior to the event, we will request that partners provide
proof of due diligence as well as a dossier of information which promotes your
company and proposal idea
Q: Is the government of my country involved in this program?
A: The investment facilitator will have notified the relevant
ministry in your government as well as informed the EC delegation and SADC
representative for your country
Q: I have plans for a venture which includes neighbouring countries, is this
permitted under ESIPP?
A: Yes
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact us at:
mail@esipp.org
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