PHUTI MOSOMANE
MINISTER of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams addressed the delegates on ways to reduce red tape and create a conducive environment to ensure that small, medium and micro enterprises are able to thrive.
Ndabeni-Abrahams was addressing over 70 business delegates at the ANC’s national conference on Monday.
In her engagement with businesses, she told delegates that the government was working on how to ease the regulatory environment are critical components to enabling SMMEs to create jobs.
“We need to use a policy framework to unlock the potential of many SMMEs. We are focusing on how small and medium enterprises can play a leading role in driving economic growth,” he said.
She said another key strategic component that the government is focusing on is creating an enabling environment for SMMEs to improve market access to unlock potentials.
Sibusiso Sibeko, who is the director of the Huis Van Cofifi project, agreed with the Minister:
“Funding is there for SMME. What is needed is access to the market. There are lots of businesses which are finding it hard to survive.”
Over the years, the government has learned that it was also important to ease the regulatory environment, including scrapping of micro finances charges at municipal level.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said most SMMEs were complaining that municipalities are charging ‘ridiculous fees’ and as a result they are forced to trade illegally.
“Our commitment to the development of SMMEs is strong and knows no rest,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
The department of Small Business Development is expanding service access points in townships and rural areas.
“We are increasing digital access to ensure that SMMEs are not left behind in the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.
She said some measures include simplifying the tax regime and increasing tax incentives for SMMEs.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said there’s a need to reform the Compensation Fund to ensure that more SMMEs are able to benefit during disasters such as those experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founder and Chairperson of the Township Business Council, Bheki Thwala said township businesses must be included in the economy.
“One of the most important things is that we have to organise ourselves as businesses in townships. We are representing 540 township businesses.
He said although the Township Business Council is not aligned to any particular political organisation, it is important that quality leaders emerge from the conference so that challenges facing the sectors are resolved.
“The biggest challenge is implementation. We want leaders who will be able to solve the energy crisis, and the crime issue,” he said.
Thwala said the government would not be able to solve challenges in townships without including the role of township businesses.
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