Media Release: SBI welcomes the formation of the Small Enterprise Development Advisory Board

August 23 2024

Embargo: none

The Small Business Institute (“SBI”), SA’s big voice for small businesses, welcomes Cabinet’s decision to finally appoint the advisory board.

“For years, we have been urging government to make use of available provisions to solicit input from the people affected by its policies – namely, our small business owners; the rock stars of our economy. The appointment of this board, including mandatory assessment of policies, laws and regulations before implementation, was at the core of our advocacy work.

“We have been dismayed at the reluctance to implement a long-agreed government provision,” says John Dludlu, SBI CEO.

Had government had this body in place during Covid-19, the relief interventions would have been far more effective, targeted and informed by people who work in the ecosystem.

“Still, we believe this late announcement is welcome. We commend Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams for being the first minister to get this over the line. We look forward to working with the Board, and to contributing insights from the ground,” says Dludlu.

Notes to Editors:

According to government –

(i) The primary function of the advisory body will be to advise the Minister on broad areas that affect small enterprise growth, including national standards pertaining to small enterprise development and regulation.
(ii) The advisory body will provide government with evidence-based expert advice on the functioning of various aspects of the small enterprise support ecosystem to enable more effective policy reforms, legislative amendments, and design of interventions to support micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives.

END