Today MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde took to the streets of the CBD in his bid to help small businesses cut through red tape. During a walkabout at the St. Georges Mall Food Market MEC, Winde distributed information leaflets about the Red Tape to Red Carpet Programme. He engaged with traders and customers, many of whom operate their own small businesses, about their red tape concerns.
Today marked the end of MEC Winde’s week-long Red Tape Reduction Listening Tour. On Monday MEC Winde visited the Red Tape Call Centre, announcing that the Red Tape To Red Carpet Programme had assisted more than 300 local businesses in just two months during its most recent awareness campaign.
MEC Winde said as result of this radio and newsletter awareness campaign the number of calls received by the call centre increased to 207 in May and 117 in June.
“It was especially encouraging that more small businesses based in previously disadvantaged areas were calling in. These are the communities that can benefit the most from this programme.”
MEC Winde this week visited a small business in Pinelands who secured a R12 million contract after the Red Tape Reduction Unit intervened. The business had been trying to obtain a Letter of Good Standing from the Department of Labour for three months. Three days after they reported the issue to the Red Tape Reduction Unit they obtained the letter.
MEC Winde added that the unit was ramping up its efforts to cut red tape in the province.
“The unit has been meeting with municipalities and businesses across the Western Cape to assess their red tape challenges. Each of these initiatives bring us one step closer to influencing a change in the way they government interacts with business and in eradicating unnecessary red tape,” said MEC Winde.
For media queries:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365
Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
