SME's Compete was contracted to assist with the selection of SME's with growth potential, as well as to provide mentoring services to businesses over a period of two years. SME's Compete was selected due to its track record and working relationship with Sigma One, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In order to achieve the objectives of the assignment, SME's Compete agreed to various activities and methodologies to be carried out during 2007, which were the following:

• Identifying, surveying and classifying
• Arandis-based entrepreneurs and groupings of entrepreneurs
• Business skills development
• Product and quality enhancement
• Market access, advice and guidance

A total of 20 entrepreneurs were identified as potential programme participants, and their business skills and willingness to participate were accordingly assessed. An agreement on how to meet SME needs was then drawn up between stakeholders and the final selection of participants, and a work plan has been developed with the participants' input.