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Southern Africa Trust |

SMME Policy Dialogue Report – South Africa Policy Dialogue

Trade & Development

The Policy Dialogue took place at the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in Midrand, South Africa on May 20, 2013. It was attended by a total of 45 delegates, amongst them representatives from the South Africa Department for Trade and Industry; the Department of Economic Development; the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA); the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut; ILO; company representatives from Massmart and ABSA; research institutes such as the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and Mhetente, the University of Pretoria and GIBS; as well as a large number of representatives from SMMEs and the host, NYDA. The workshop was organised and implemented by the Southern Africa Trust and Tushiyah Advisory Services. The facilitator, Thuli Magubane welcomed the participants introducing the agenda and the underlying concept of the Policy Dialogue with regard to SMME development and inclusive business. She emphasized that SMMEs are the engine of a country and requested an intense and open dialogue between these SMMEs, the researchers, the government, larger companies and other present stakeholders. Siviwe Mkoka from NYDA welcomed the participants and gave a brief overview on NYDA’s activities, which is to make the South African society aware of the youth issues and give grants to very small enterprises but also support young entrepreneurs in a non-financial way.

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