Limpopo economic development, environment and tourism minister Collins Chabane says small business is to receive special attention in his province.
In a report by the government news agency, BuaNews, on Friday, he is quoted as telling the provincial legislature that small businesses has a high potential for job creation.
“The sector has been able to generate 30 jobs for every R1-million investment,” he pointed out.
“The informal sector is making a substantial contribution to the economy, and we will provide support with trading facilities and access to credit,” the minister promised.
He reported that Limpopo Development will receive nearly R90-million this year, from which it could grant 448 loans to small enterprises, creating 1 793 jobs.
Chabane said the tourism and mining industries provide further opportunities for development programmes, with tourism showing the higher job-absorption rate. The commercialisation of provincial nature reserves will be a crucial growth factor.
He said a draft small-business funding policy is being developed, to address the daunting volume of requests the department is receiving from communities. — I-Net Bridge