Will cutting red tape for small businesses be part of National Dialogue, asks Public Interest SA
It's often said that SMMEs help drive our economy, so why isn't government doing more to help them thrive?
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The Money Show's Stephen Grootes is joined by Tebogo Khaas, founder and chairperson of the non-profit organisation Public Interest South Africa.
It's often said that entrepreneurs are among the drivers of our economy, and that government should be cutting the red tape that can stop small, micro and medium enterprises (SSMEs) from flourishing.
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In March 2024, the Department of Small Business Development published the draft National Business Licensing Policy for public comment.
The draft highlighted the need for a national policy that will assist in 'identifying, updating and modernising licensing legislation' that addresses challenges related to previously disadvantaged SMMEs.
It's now being reported in BusinessLIVE that progress is being been made with the policy.
He's lost count of the number of times officials have spoken about easing the regulatory burden for these businesses, Public Interest SA chairperson Tebogo Khaas says ruefully.
Khaas says he has not heard anything substantial from government since the draft policy was published for comment.
He emphasizes the need for implementation and enforcement, alongside regulations.
"What is the point of having a regulation or laws that cannot be enforced? Take for example the policy area of Alexandra in Johannesburg where we have 204 taverns. Apparently the majority of those are not licensed and every time the local police shut them down, the very same outlets are operating again once the police are gone."
Tebogo Khaas, Chair - Public Interest SA
Referring to a red tape reduction unit established within the Presidency in 2019, Khaas says that was focused primarily on the problems experienced by big business, like easing the processing of visas.
"It is not so much for small businesses that often have to go through a lot of hoops to just get a license to operate even in the regulated industries like retail and transport - perhaps that will be part of the National Dialogue."
Tebogo Khaas, Chair - Public Interest SA
"We've been talking and talking, and really it's all about implementation, about making sure the rules get to be followed. And THEN we can talk about the new policy."
Tebogo Khaas, Chair - Public Interest SA
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