Considered broadly, the Province of KZN has been the breeding ground for numerous SME businesses that went on to become national corporations. This year, industrial businesses as diverse as Tongaat Hulett Limited and Elma Engineering, Alltube, Ilembe Technologies and Jonsson Group are competing in the annual FNB KZN Top Business Portfolio Awards.

"First National Bank (FNB)  KZN , is one of the bank's top performing provinces in terms of sales, service, audit, innovations, people and profitability," says David Montsho, FNB KZN Provincial Executive, "thus it is only fitting that we should be integrally linked to these awards."
Today banking 34 municipalities in KZN, as well as the Metro eThekwini municipality, 2606 public schools, UKZN and other Government entities, including Tourism KZN, FNB's Public Sector Banking unit was specifically formed five  years ago to assist SA's government and NGOs to overcome the massive logistical challenges they face."
"After researching and understudying the industry," adds Montsho, "we devised solutions to improve efficiencies in municipalities, the Province's universities, schools as well as organisations such as Ezemvelo Wildlife."
FNB believes it is essential to showcase the positive contributions made by industrial players in the KZN economy, to build investor confidence in the currently volatile global market.
Grant Adlam , CEO of the KZN Top Business Portfolio, says by communicating the achievements of successful companies in KwaZulu-Natal , they might serve as an inspiration to others to do business in the Province. "This year, a record 150 nominations were submitted for consideration - a sign of the vibrant business environment in KZN and acceptance of the Awards as the indicator of business success in the Province".
Achievements in each of the major sectors as specified by the South African Standard Classification of all Economic Activities (SIC) are awarded, including Agriculture; Mining; Manufacturing; Utilities; Construction; Trade; Transport, Storage and Communication; Financial and Business Services; and Social and Community services.

Finalists are selected by business professionals during more than five weeks of judging as formal entries are submitted.  Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors including former Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO,  Prof Bonke Dumisa and
Mel Clark, the former HOD of the Department of Economic Development, will select winners from among the Finalists during the week of August 5.
Winners will be announced during a Gala event on 28 August at the Durban ICC, and a complete list of nominees can be viewed at click here
The Gala Awards Dinner coincides with the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio, supplied both in print and electronic formats which is an extremely effective tool for promoting the Province abroad.