086 101 9218
[email protected]
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
    MENUMENU
    • Home
    • About
    • News
      • Announcements
      • Breaking News
      • Business Development
      • City Of Joburg News
      • Crime Briefs
      • COVID-19
      • Energy
      • Events
      • Financial
      • Government
      • Hospitality & Tourism
      • Human Resources
      • Import/Export
      • Labour Law
      • Legal
      • Manufacturing
      • Marketing
      • Trade Opportunities
      • Property
      • SACCI News
      • Seychelles
      • Style
      • Member Offers
      • Technology
      • VIP Updates
    • Events
    • Trade Opportunities
      • Mauritius
      • Seychelles
      • Tender Bulletins
    • Certificates Of Origin
    • Benefits
    • Join Us
    • Members
      • Members Directory
      • Login/Register
    • Jobs
      • Jobs Available
      • Post A Job
      • Job Dashboard
    • Contact

New Focus For Small Business Chamber Organisation

26th Sep 2017Breaking News, SBI NewsRCCI Admin

Press release from SBI (Previously AHI)
25 September 2017

NEW FOCUS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CHAMBER ORGANISATION

For the past year, the AHI business chamber organisation has taken steps to renew itself to safeguard its relevance and diversity and become the ‘Big Voice for Small Business’.

Following its special general meeting on Friday 22 September, the members of AHI adopted a new Memorandum of Incorporation and a new name, SBI.

“We would be proud if over time SBI becomes synonymous with credible research and public positions on all matters of interest to Small Business. Apart from a few hundred corporations and SOE’s, over 95% of all businesses fall into this category,” said President Bernard Swanepoel.

As a member of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), SBI brings together over a hundred Chambers which represent some of the estimated two million SMEs. Small businesses contribute at least 40% of South Africa’s GDP. As the predominent creator of jobs in any society, the nine million unemployed people in SA require a vibrant small business sector with prospects for growth and an enabling environment for success.

CEO Dr Ernest Messina said: “SBI will focus on advancing the best interests of all SMEs in South Africa, working with all role-players, to ensure they remain in business, grow and create jobs.”
SBI has held a series of SME Indabas in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Two further Indabas will be held in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg on 11 October and 2 November respectively. Leaders from government, the media, political and economic analysts, corporate South Africa and inspirational entrepreneurs have participated, generating debate and supporting the challenges put to them by SBI:

That policy makers ‘think small first’ when making law and imposing new regulations;
That government and big businesses pay SMEs on time for work done satisfactorily;
That ‘each one creates two’, our challenge to SBI members to create two new jobs.
A particular frustration for Swanepoel has been the lack of comprehensive research in the sector.
“Though we continue to introduce layers of bureaucracy meant to assist SMEs, we don’t even know how many exist, how many they employ, whether they are growing or contracting, what sectors they dominate and what challenges they face. We hope to raise sufficient funding to undertake a baseline study in the New Year as a priority,” he said.

SBI will be governed by a newly constituted board of experts that all share a passion for small business. This will be a demographically reflective board with distinct ‘portfolios’ for better accountabiliy.
“SBI is committed and enthusiastic about playing a meaningful role in partnership with government, corporate South Africa as well as sister organisations to create a conducive and enabling environment for SMEs,” said Messina.

“SBI will endeavour to bring about tangible results which will make a noticeable difference to the business landscape. We owe this to the current and next generation as our contribution to a new heritage and legacy for SMEs. Like our country, our diverse heritage should be the foundation for a future where we create inclusive wealth for all.”

For more information contact:

Bernard Swanepoel
2017 AHI President
083 303 9922

Ernest Messina
SBI: CEO
083 571 1795

Cobus Bester
SBI Spokesperson
082 457 7218

Author: RCCI Admin

The Randburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry protects the interests of business in the region, promotes the private enterprise system and market-orientated approach with equal opportunities for all.

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares
Previous post Beware Dismissing For Conflict Of Interests Next post RCCI AGM and Executive Committee Nominations

RCCI (Head Office)

Unit G8 Atrium Terraces 272 Oak Avenue Randburg Gauteng 2194 South Africa
086 101 9218
086 212 4407
[email protected]
Advertise

Find out more about our events or promote your own event: events@rcci.co.za
 
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
LinkedIn
RSS

Latest News

  • Social Media Message About NCCC Meeting and Level 5 is Fake, says Government Spokesperson
  • GGPC COVID-19 Update – How To Fight Mild Covid Illness At Home
  • South Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy
  • AfCFTA Opens For Business
  • Land That Position

Subscribe
To Our Mailing List

Subscribe

Upcoming Events

  1. COJ Valuation Appeal Hearings: Webinar in January 2021

    Jan 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

View All Events

Copyright © 2019 Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions · Contact Us
Change Location
To find awesome listings near you!
COVID-19 OFFICIAL LINK https://sacoronavirus.co.za/