Pretoria – The 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) is a powerful platform to learn what other successful nations are doing to promote and sustain enterprise development, says Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.
“I am confident that GEC 2017 will further thrust entrepreneurship and small business development firmly on the national agenda and on the collective consciousness of our nation,” Minister Zulu said.
She was speaking on Monday during the media launch of the GEC 2017.
Minister Zulu said government has placed small businesses and co-operatives on the centre stage of the national effort to banish poverty and reduce inequality.
“As a department, we remain open and receptive to new policy ideas that will help accelerate the formation of new businesses and sustainability of existing ones.
“Government recognises that the small business and co-operative sector face constraints in growing and sustaining their enterprises as a result of lack of business opportunities in both the public and private sectors,” she said.
Government has taken a decision to set aside 30 percent of appropriate categories of state procurement for purchasing from SMMEs, co-operatives, township and rural enterprises.
Minister Zulu said the implementation of the public procurement programme will ensure an increased contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, sustainable livelihoods and creation of job opportunities by the small business sector.
“Through transversal agreements, government will ensure co-ordinated support to small businesses,” she said.
Minister Zulu said her department will mobilise the private sector to ensure that small businesses and co-operatives are assisted and empowered to grow into viable and thriving enterprises. – SAnews.gov.za
