By OBAKENG MAJE
24 July 2025- The Deputy President, Paul Mashatile said the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting could not have come at a better time. Mashatile said as they do draw to a close, he could say the discussions and exchanges held in recent days have been filled with pride and optimism, as they highlight their shared commitment to enhancing access to finance, promoting digital transformation and promoting green transitions in the SME sector.
He said the discussions have further demonstrated the potential for collaboration and shared goals to unlock significant opportunities for SMEs globally. Mashatile said in this sense, they are grateful to see the UN expanding its efforts and collaborating with the South African government to foster multilateral cooperation.
“This relationship is critical in this challenging period of abrupt shifts towards unilateralism, which jeopardise the sustainability of our respective countries and the world. I am also impressed by the Call to Action for this Global SME Ministerial Meeting.
“It reaffirms support for critical multilateral initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, the Declaration on Future Generations, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Group of Twenty,” he said.
Mashatile further said South Africa is hosting the G20 Presidency under the theme of Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability, aiming to champion developmental issues in the Global South, particularly Africa. He added that as they approach the G20 Summit, this forum has been essential in bringing together a number of ministers and deputy ministers from the continent and the Global South to exchange perspectives.
“We have heard your voices and will ensure that we champion the issues you have raised in the broader G20 processes and the G20 Leaders Summit in November. I am pleased that our G20 Startup Engagement Group’s Mid-Term Meeting happened on the side-lines of this Ministerial Meeting, which allowed for cross-pollination of ideas and propositions.
“I know Minister Ndabeni is championing the establishment of a dedicated G20 Working Group on small business and start-ups, an idea which started under Brazil’s Presidency. This Ministerial meeting has given this initiative the momentum it needs,” said Mashatile.
He said he was also pleased to see that a meeting of Trade Promotion Organisations from around the world happened also alongside this Global SME Ministerial Meeting to discuss the impact on trends of trade protectionism and the disruption of global supply chains. Mashatile said practical measures were discussed to share trade intelligence, build greater resilience in our MSMEs, and transition to new markets and possibilities.
“As Governments, we need to step up. This means we must enhance our capabilities to strengthen trade and economic diplomacy, allowing ourselves to engage more effectively in both bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
“As South Africa, we are strengthening regional trade through the Southern African Customs Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement,” he said.
The Guardian 