Red Tape Reduction Awareness Campaign Targets Entrepreneurs | Western Cape Government

News

News

Red Tape Reduction Awareness Campaign Targets Entrepreneurs

13 May 2013

The Western Cape Government aims to reach over 1.5 million potential and existing businesspeople through its biggest ever Red Tape reduction awareness campaign.

Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Finance, Alan Winde, said today (13 May 2013) marked the start of an extensive radio campaign to raise awareness about the Red Tape Reduction Programme. The info ads will be aired on the biggest broadcasters and community stations across the province to reach more than 1.5 million listeners.

Minister Winde added that through the campaign, 15 000 email and sms messages would be sent to various business sectors and targeted government officials about the assistance the Western Cape Government is providing to reduce red tape.

Minister Winde said the Western Cape Government was constantly looking at ways of cutting down red tape and supporting existing and potential entrepreneurs to aid economic growth and job creation.

"The Red Tape to Red Carpet programme seeks to eliminate unnecessarily burdensome processes and help entrepreneurs and businesspeople to overcome obstacles that are preventing growth. In this financial year over R7 million is allocated to this programme," said Minister Winde.

Later this month Minister Winde plans to visit local businesses the programme has recently assisted.

Minister Winde said: "Since the launch of the campaign in July 2011 to the end of March this year, 1114 red tape cases have been logged with the unit’s Red Tape Call Centre.  Testament to the strong levels of entrepreneurship in the province, the most common query is from people wanting information on starting businesses. Many calls are received for help with “cumbersome processes”. These burdens suppress economic growth, with one study estimating that red tape costs the national economy R79 billion a year. That is why reducing red tape is one of my top priorities."

Minister Winde said the Red Tape unit plans to launch an online portal later this year where users can gain easy access to information on red tape matters and starting a business.

The province also has a task team investigating the institutionalization of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA). RIA is a tool to test the feasibility and practicality of regulatory proposals such as Acts, regulations and bylaws. RIA assesses their economic, social and environmental impact, and whether it is necessary to write and implement a new regulation.

"The provincial Cabinet resolved in October last year that the institutionalization of RIA must be investigated by a task team consisting of officials from the Red Tape Reduction unit, Provincial Treasury and Legal Services.   The task team will submit its findings and recommendations to Cabinet around mid-May," said Minister Winde.

For any red tape related queries, please call the Western Cape Government Red Tape Call Centre on 086 188 8126 or visit the Red Tape Walk-in centre at eG4C, 142 Long Street, Cape Town.

Media Enquiries: 

Bronwynne Jooste
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365