The provincial Department of Economic Development informed the committee that they had a good relationship with Eskom and received regular reports on progress regarding economic development. They commended Eskom for the supplier development programme and for the workshops that have been held to create awareness regarding the opportunities that existed for the broader community. Local business admitted that they were not ready for the construction and the opportunities. They raised concern regarding the Construction Industry Development Board grading, and said that it disadvantaged local businesses from getting tenders. There was no support for women who are in business and proposed that the training for women in engineering business should increase significantly.