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.

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

It really needs to be reviewed so that we can make sure that we safeguard industries that are in distress, that are affected by cheap imports coming in. But also, we really need to be very strong and aggressive when it comes to counterfeit and illicit goods because of the destruction that it’s having on our economies.

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 labour-market regulations.

We need SMME reforms, Mr President, so that our SMMEs can be able to create those much-needed jobs.

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 added that they demand action and that his administration is committed to protecting the city’s economic future.

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.