Pretoria- Africa stands on the threshold of an unprecedented economic success, and small businesses will be the main drivers of this growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Small business development is the key to unlock economic opportunities and thus achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable employment.

This was the message delivered by the Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu in Milan, Italy during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) which ended recently. Minister Zulu addressed Ministers of Small Business Development from various countries and an African delegation shortly after South Africa Johannesburg was announced as the Host City for the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Congress.

“Small business is big business”, she told the Congress, reiterating the call by President Jacob Zuma. “Our policy interventions in South Africa seek to ensure that small enterprises grow into thriving businesses. They cannot remain small forever”.

She said that the high rate of unemployment, poverty and extreme inequality in South Africa called for bold andfar-sighted interventions.

Minister Zulu also met various Italian agencies and companies as part of her objective to identify opportunities for South African small businesses.

“As government, we remain open and receptive to new policy ideas that will help accelerate the formation of new businesses and sustainability of existing one. We see the GEC as a powerful platform to learn what other successful nations are doing to promote and sustain enterprise development”, said Minister Zulu.

We will focus on providing financial and non-financial support to small businesses. We want to reduce obstacles to doing business wherever possible.

Addressing a separate delegation from the African continent, Minister Zulu said: “There is general recognition that Africa is the next growth pole of the world. It is up to us, Africans, to seize the moment and ensure that Africa becomes an unprecedented economic success”.

Minister Zulu invited delegates to present ideas that would ensure that the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2017 that would take place in Johannesburg becomes a resounding success. GEC provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to explore business networking opportunities, to learn and interact with their peers across the globe.

Addressing a delegation from the African continent, Minister Zulu also touched on the violence affecting businesses owned by foreign nationals. She reiterated government’s condemnation of the violence, the loss of lives and destruction of property.

“As government, we proceed from the premise that all people living in South Africa, including foreigners, are entitled to the full protection of our law. We will continue to act firmly and decisively against people who break the law and those who take the law into their own hands”.

“I established a Task Team to look at the underlying causes of the problem and to determine what needs to be done. I am confident that the Task Team will deliver a lasting solution.”

-TDN

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