The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe urged more than 500 entrepreneurs, small business financiers, academia, consultants, experts, as well as small business policy-makers to engage with the SMME Review Report that was presented at the Annual Small Business Summit in Bloemfontein yesterday.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe urged more than 500 entrepreneurs, small business financiers, academia, consultants, experts, as well as small business policy-makers to engage with the SMME Review Report that was presented at the Annual Small Business Summit in Bloemfontein yesterday.
The main purpose of the summit, which is held under the theme Propelling Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises Support as an Engine for Growth and Employment, is to provide a platform for stakeholders with the mandate of SMME development and growth for engagement on government SMME policy and strategy to find solutions for challenges facing small enterprises in South Africa.
“In our continued efforts to increase support for small enterprises, we have during the first quarter of 2011, appointed a panel of specialists to undertake a review of government’s support to small, medium and micro enterprises, with the aim of improving the outputs and impact of support,” said Deputy Minister Thabethe.
She added that the purpose of the review was to conduct an assessment of current SMME support programmes and make recommendations on ways to improve aspects such coordination and rationalisation of support programmes, overall efficiency and effectiveness of those programmes, as well as monitoring and evaluation practices.
"I'm pleased to announce that the results of the review are now being finalised and I hope you will be able to make your input on them at this summit," she added.
In his presentation, the Convener of the SMME Review panel Mr Septi Bukula said the review's scope focussed on three pillars of the integrated small business strategy. These were increasing the supplying of financial and non-financial support, creating demand for SMME products ands services and reducing regulatory constraints. He said based on their findings, the review is recommending to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, amongst others, a rethink of the small business policy, small business development practice, small business market and partnerships with various actors.
Speaking at the same conference, the Free State MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mr Mxolisi Dukwana, said enablers and barriers must be addressed in order to promote economic development in South Africa.
"Micro economies are all too often overlooked in the search for major economic stimulus. Lessons learnt clearly indicate that the role of the SMMEs is very vital in the overall economy and can be a significant enabler for inward investment. Economies across the world have looked at small to medium enterprises to curb unemployment," added Dukwana.
The Director-General of the Department Trade and Industry, Lionel October also emphasised the need to look at access to markets using government procurement as a tool. He mentioned that a procurement conference is being planned for 21 October 2011 to look at modalities to procure from local companies and small business. Mr October also emphasised the need to expand the incubation programme to enhance enterprise sustainability. He mentioned that this can be done in partnership with the private sector.
The summit continues tomorrow where resolutions on various issues, including the SMME review's three focus areas, will be passed, and the way forward outlined.
