How to make money in small business from the 2010 World Cup
With the successful bid for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, South African entrepreneurs are presented with a number of small business opportunities. According to the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the 2010 World Cup is expected to involve approximately three and a half million people, both South Africans and foreigners, including spectators, officials, sponsors and players. The opportunities for small businesses to service the needs of so many people are enormous.

A report by Grant Thornton Kessel Feinstein revealed, the event will lead to direct expenditure of R12,7 billion; it will contribute R21,3 billion to the GDP of South Africa; and will create 159 000 new employment opportunities.

Profitable 2010 Business Opportunities to choose from
Inadequate business skills and financing difficulties make it a challenge for South Africans to realise these benefits. Limited knowledge of the business opportunities and the means to access them is another problem faced by South Africans who wish to profit from the country's hosting of the 2010 World Cup.

Addressing this, the 2010 Business Opportunities Expo in Sandton in July and in Cape Town in August, identifies sectors where opportunities are expected.

“Visitors to the expo will not only hear about the opportunities, but will also meet the very exhibitors from the different sectors who are providing these opportunities. They can expect to receive critical information, form partnerships and gain access to these opportunities,” says Neli Mabaso, convener of the Expo. T ake your pick from an assortment of opportunities at the 2010 Business Opportunities Expo

Tax breaks for 2010 World Cup
New provisions providing tax exemptions for the 2010 Fifa World Cup have been included in the draft Revenue Laws Amendment Bill.

The tax proposals include an innovative provision to use some of the value added tax (VAT) proceeds on the sale of tickets and hospitality services to subsidise match ticket prices for supporters. The effect of the tax proposals would be to create a “tax-free bubble” for a limited period before and during the 2010 World Cup. Find out how this will affect your business.

Keep your business up and running in light of 2010
As the 2010 Soccer World Cup draws near, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) and most certainly everyone, are looking to take advantage of the opportunities that are bound to arise due to the increase in tourism, business and global recognition. While the country is in top gear to ensure that the event will meet world-class expectations, it is important to understand that as 2010 approaches, South Africans are more likely to place themselves at greater risk on the Internet.

In fact, according to the latest Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, a 40% increase in phishing activity during major holidays and other large events such as the FIFA World Cup place not only consumers and large businesses at risk, but also SMBs.

Take advantage of the rapid growth in franchising leading up to 2010
A recent survey, the Standard Bank Franchise Factor (Copyright Bendeta Gordon, Franchise Directions, September 2006), showed that the number of franchise systems in South Africa had grown by 49% to 470 over the past two years, lifting the total number of franchised outlets by 24% to 25 870 and raising the total turnover of the industry by 48% to R188 billion.

With such positive growth, franchising is poised to play a significant role in developing the small business sector in the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Says Kobus Oosthuizen, Vice Chairman of FASA, “All the efforts in franchising will be on growing the sector in the next three years to meet the demands that such a significant world event will put on our different franchise sectors – from the fast food and restaurants to the entertainment, business to business and retail franchises. We know that franchising in South Africa can deliver world-class products and services and in an industry sector, we need to rise to the challenge.”

Get behind 2010: with Gary Bailey's ‘GamePlan'
With GamePlan 2010, Goalkeeping legend and sportscaster, Gary Bailey hopes to prepare entrepreneurs and SMEs nationwide for the tournament, thus aiding and establishing businesses that will thrive long after the pop of the last cherry-bomb of the tournament's closing celebrations. Read Gary 's advice for the South African entrepreneur here.

"2010 will be the most profitable World Cup in the history of Fifa. Fifa has a tremendous amount of confidence in the economy, political stability and the institutions of South Africa ."

Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive, 2010 World Cup Organising Committee.