Today is a sad day for SME reflecting once again government administration has shown its inability to be of real service to SME. SASMEF applications to the Employment Creation Fund (ECF) has been declined Two years ago on the advice of the DG and COO of the DTI SASMERF made two applications to the Employment Creation fund (ECF) for funding. This was a ONE billion fund provided by the EU which according to press reports was to be managed by the DTI. It is also reported and this was the experience of many SME applicants and corroborated by a Public Protector report that the internal mechanism of DTI was so lacking that the fund was managed in a substandard way with inordinate delays. The reason given (given two years later) is as follows: “The SASMEF project activities are already offered by the DTI through, Small Business Development Agency (SEDA), and BBSDP Black Business Supply development program.” The whole process and also the manner of decline, confirms two things: 1. Government administration cannot deliver on economic development as per the NDP nor SME development in particular 2. Convert SEDA into the Brazilian - SEBRAE type organization for SME development Will Minister of SME and the new department be equipped to bring government support to SME development? YES, but only if the process is a public private participation and a divorce from the DTI approaches. A detail report will be posted with copies of the DTI decline letter.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:18:27 +0000
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