Draft SMME and cooperative funding policy

Cabinet has approved the publication of the draft Small Medium and Micro Enterprises and Cooperatives Funding Policy for public comments The draft policy forms part of other interventions to support small businesses, including the National Integrated Small Enterprise Development Framework that was approved by Cabinet in 2022 The draft policy proposes 17 critical interventions that will enable the estimated 3 2 million SMMEs and 43 000 cooperatives in the country to thrive These interventions include addressing fragmented financial support mechanisms, consolidating a database of small businesses, improving access to start up capital and increasing business development support Government has prioritised SMMEs and cooperatives support because these businesses create the most jobs and provide the most opportunities for people to earn a living The draft policy will be published in the Government Gazette and well as the website of the Department of Small Business Development on www dsbd gov za