Ramaphosa pledges to cut red tape after Durban businesses raise concerns

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to remove bureaucratic obstacles holding back businesses, after Durban business leaders raised concerns about illicit imports, unreliable infrastructure and regulations affecting companies in distress.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC’s 170th Annual Gala Dinner at the playTSOGO Globe at Suncoast on Wednesday.

DCCI chief executive Palesa Phili told Ramaphosa that cheap imports, counterfeit products and illicit goods entering Durban through the port were severely affecting local industries.

Phili also called for reforms to support small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), saying they faced obstacles including unreliable electricity and infrastructure, red tape, limited access to finance and regulatory burdens.

Much-needed jobs,

Phili said.

She said SMMEs employed about 80% of the population in emerging markets such as Brazil and China, compared with about 60% in South Africa.

Reflecting on Durban’s resilience, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that businesses and households continued to face serious difficulties, particularly as a result of unreliable municipal services.

He said the condition of infrastructure, the cost of electricity, crime and inefficiencies in logistics were discouraging investment and constraining economic growth.

These are not challenges that can be resolved through good intentions alone,

Ramaphosa said, adding that they demand urgent, practical action.

He vowed to protect the city’s economic interests, stating, “I will not allow the destruction of our economy while I hold this office. We will protect every factory, every shop, every port and every livelihood in this city because to burn Durban is to burn the bread of millions.”