Pray the News
Business stakeholders explore ways to harness local assets – The Herald Monday 25 August
AbstractThe Eastern Cape is brimming with untapped potential for innovation-driven economic growth, but challenges such as business closures, job losses, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to hold the province back. Business stakeholders gathered at the Sunrise Hotel on Friday, in a meeting hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the department of science, technology and innovation, to explore ways to harness local assets – from ports and renewable energy to intellectual capital – to drive job creation and economic intervention. TIA GM for strategic partnership, business development and stakeholder relations, Tandokazi Nquma-Moyo, said the agency was established to assist the state to stimulate innovation. “We are at a time in this province where there are plans to close business operations which are considered to be at risk because of the global restructuring, Nquma-Moyo said. “These are the problems we face in this country-the actual closure of big business which has resulted in job losses due to geopolitical factors and the general decline in the automotive industry because of its competitiveness. Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber president Kelvin Naidoo said they had established a local economy reinvention think tank which looked at what opportunities there were for the economy to grow. Weare looking at the assets we have, such as the sun, wind and our three ports while we also have TIA and the intellectual capacity of the province. Naidoo said they were looking at how to redefine the assets to be able to deliver the growth objectives needed. Innovation is about doing something different and better.
TIA Website
Prayer Guidelines
1. Prayer for Wisdom and Innovation to Harness Intellectual Capital
Focus: Pray for divine wisdom to guide leaders, businesses, and innovators in utilizing the province’s intellectual resources to create sustainable solutions.
Scripture: James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Prayer Point: Heavenly Father, we seek Your wisdom for the Technology Innovation Agency, universities, and business leaders in the Eastern Cape. Grant them insight to transform intellectual capital into innovative startups and technologies that drive economic growth and create jobs, as You generously provide wisdom to those who ask.
2. Prayer for Restoration Amid Business Closures and Job Losses
Focus: Pray for divine intervention to reverse business closures, reskill workers, and diversify the economy for resilience.
Scripture: Joel 2:25 – “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm.”
Prayer Point: Gracious God, we lift up the businesses and workers facing closures in the Eastern Cape. Restore what has been lost through new opportunities in emerging sectors. Guide the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and TIA to reskill workers and rebuild a vibrant economy.
3. Prayer for Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles
Focus: Pray for streamlined processes and an enabling environment to unlock investment and innovation.
Scripture: Psalm 5:12 – “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Prayer Point: Lord, we pray for the Provincial Investment Council and government leaders. Surround them with Your favor to remove bureaucratic obstacles, streamline regulations, and create an investor-friendly environment. May Your blessing accelerate economic growth and innovation in the Eastern Cape.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we seek Your wisdom (James 1:5) to guide Eastern Cape’s leaders and innovators in using intellectual capital for job-creating startups. Bless the ports to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) as trade hubs. Let Your glory (Isaiah 60:1) shine on renewable energy projects, overcoming load-shedding. Restore businesses and jobs (Joel 2:25) through diversification. Surround leaders with favor (Psalm 5:12) to remove bureaucratic hurdles, unlocking prosperity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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