SA And EU Join Forces
2018-05-23
The Department of Small Business Development and the European Union Delegation to South Africa launched the Employment Promotion through SMME’s Support Programme in April 2018.
A vibrant small business sector is recognised as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation, and the partners expect this initiative to contribute in strengthening small, micro and medium sized enterprises.
European Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica said: “Through this programme we seek to contribute towards South Africa’s goal of inclusive economic growth and employment creation through SMME development.â€
The Programme will focus its support to SMMEs on sectors identified in the New Growth Path and Industrial Policy Action Plan.
The Programme aims to improve the:
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Competitiveness of small, micro and medium enterprises and their ability to meet procurement requirements of large multinational local corporations, government and state-owned enterprises
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Access to finance for SMMEs with limited/no access to finance (the unbanked)
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Regulatory and administrative environment for SMMEs (red tape reduction)
A Programme Steering Committee has been established comprising government, the private sector, the EU and cooperating partners to provide oversight of Programme’s implementation.