In our last addition I made the clarion call to #provethemwrong and I must admit, that I have seen some shining lights in a period of economic turbulence. However, we need to champion along and stop looking in the rearview mirror. Just like how the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched their #Durbanmustrise campaign, on the anniversary of their 160 years of being conceived.

This campaign has encouraged business to look ahead and not back, to not be side-tracked.  And most importantly to work together to help make our beautiful City (and Province) a champion of commerce and
business, standing tall and proud.  I encourage you to extend this campaign to each one of your business areas and to get the conversion going.  However, with the correct mindset, we still need Government to provide a really enabling and compelling environment to rise and provide the new jobs and economic growth that is required.  It's time for the roll-out of the redcarpet for business!

This environment should include:

• Reducing the turnaround times for processing business applications (locally, provincially and nationally). In doing so they would be reducing the cost and frustration of doing business
• Reviewing the tariff increases and ensuring that it is friendly for business to grow
• Engaging more with both organised and informal business to understand their needs and priorities and plan for them.

I look forward to hearing more of the success stories and what keeps your business motivated.  I wish you well in the second quarter of 2016, and know that if we keep the engine going strong now, we will definitely exceed the low growth expectations that have been placed on us.

Keep trekking and focus on the way forward (not the rearview mirror)

wwwikzanchamber.co.za