Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni has declared this a “historic week” for entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
She was addressing the Startup20 Midterm Engagement Group Meeting held in Gauteng on Monday.
The meeting kicks off a busy week, with Global Trade Promotion Organisations holding a parallel meeting hosted by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“They will consider how the global trade system is being reconfigured, and how MSMEs can build resilience and pivot towards new markets,” Ndabeni said.
WATCH | Opening session of the Global SME Ministerial Meeting
Later this week, the department will host the Global SME ministerial meeting with the International Trade Centre.
“This meeting will see Ministers, Deputy Ministers and officials from more than 60 countries, as well as various multilateral organisations, converge to discuss entrepreneurship and MSME policy, and look at ways to scale global support for MSMEs, especially in underserved countries,” Ndabeni explained.
The Global SME ministerial meeting will take aim at:
- How to bridge the digital divide to empower MSMEs and startups with the infrastructure, skills, and tools needed to compete globally;
- How to unlock capital access, especially for women- and youth-led businesses, through inclusive financial ecosystems;
- How to position MSMEs as key actors in the green economy, supporting sustainable practices and circular innovation, and
- How to foster inclusive trade policies that ensure MSMEs have a seat at the global economic table.
“The outcome will be a Call to Action, endorsed by the 60 plus countries, which will contain practical policy measures and reforms that will be championed in the UN system and which we can integrate with our G20 MSME agenda.
“Building on the work started in Brazil, as South Africa we want a dedicated G20 MSME and Startup Working Group, and this week’s deliberations will greatly assist us craft clear terms of reference and agenda for this working group,” Ndabeni said.
The ministerial meeting will also allow opportunities for inputs from the Startup20 Midterm engagement.
“Some of you… will be given space to share your thinking with the delegates at the ministerial meeting.
“Together, we will build a more equal and sustainable future led by MSMEs and startups,” Ndabeni said. – SAnews.gov.za
