A South African SMME Forum was launched last week at a media briefing in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
The forum is an independent, public benefit organisation dedicated to accelerating sustainable development for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in SA.
"It aims to contribute towards a coherent and efficient SMME development strategy in collaboration with like-minded public and private sector organisations," says Tebogo Khaas, acting president of the SMME Forum.
The forum is run by a management team that works with members to identify common problems faced by SMMEs and distil best practice approaches.
The concept came about during the research process of the various black empowerment charters.
According to research conducted by Global Enterprise Monitor in 2003, SMME development in SA lags behind many developing countries.
"The government and the private sector have identified a sustainable SME sector as key to stimulating economic growth and transformation in SA," says Khaas.
"The Department of Trade and Industry was approached with the concept of a forum for ICT SMMEs. They felt it was an excellent concept that should not be restricted to the ICT sector but should represent the entire spectrum, addressing the needs of all SMMEs across the spectrum as many of the issues are global.
"All forum members recognise that economic transformation is a fundamental national imperative for sustainable growth as well as redressing the imbalances brought about by SA`s recent political past," says Khaas.
"There is much legislation that will come into being that will affect SMMEs, who need to understand it and lobby government so that they assist with development rather than restrict it. The SMME sector is so busy trying to survive that these businesses are unaware of these issues and do not forward their inputs."
Khaas says the forum is not intended to replace the various industry associations that already play a meaningful role for their respective members.
It is funded by annual membership fees and donations from various other sources. Partners include the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Communications, Department of Science & Technology, Business Unity South Africa, Proudly South African, the Telkom Foundation and the Eskom Foundation.
For further information, contact Khaas on 084 317 9111 or e-mail him at info@theforum.org.za.
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