CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RAISES CONCERNS WITH GOVERNMENT

Press Release: Durban, 26 February 2019

MINARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CREATES PLATFORM FOR BUSINESS TO ENGAGE GOVERNMENT ON RED TAPE CHALLENGES FACED BY BUSINESSES.

Small business is the engine of economic growth and development in any economy. For this sector to thrive it requires a supportive and enabling trading environment. South Africa has regrettably ranked at the bottom tiers of global trends in the ease of doing business. It is an established reality that the regulatory framework for small business is stifling its growth to the point of threatening their very survival.

To address the Red tape regime for Small Business Minara Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development hosted an informative and interactive discussion on 19 February 2019 at its conference centre. Key departmental stakeholders and role-players including amongst others SARS, Home Affairs, Department of Small Business Development, and the Department of Cooperative Affairs both at provincial and National Level made presentations on their mandates. They then engaged with the delegates on their respective challenges.

Deputy Director General Mr Zeph Nhleko of the Provincial Department of Economic development facilitated the session.

Many important challenges and possible solutions to address the concerns raised were recorded for further interrogation.. Funding for women led businesses was a highlighted challenge. . Minara President Solly Suleman encouraged businesses to engage and maximise opportunities such as these facilitated by the Chamber to advance their businesses to stimulate economic activity and create the much needed employment. Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer also addressed the delegates encouraging business and government to work together. The session closed with a resolution to advance these types of engagements to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive within the parameters of legislative compliance.