An institutional network to drive the National Small Business Strategy has seen the establishment of Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency and Khula Enterprise Finance Ltd. These two institutions were established at a national level with the task of building the capacity of retails service providers of financial and non financial services. The service providers operate as independent organisations and the support they receive from Ntsika and Khula may include technical assistance, capacity building and financial support. In addition, Khula provides loan finance and loan guarantees to service providers. The objective of this approach is to strengthen existing institutions to deliver efficient and high quality services to small business.

The support network comprises of:

Local Business Service Centres
Local Business Service Centres are accredited service providers who provide services to SMMEs such as training, counselling, information and referral. Accreditation takes place according to a ten-point criteria plan which guarantees the required level of service, management and expertise. Funding takes place on an output basis, ensuring measurable performance.

Funded Service Provider
Funded Service Providers are service providers which are not accredited but are funded to provide services, particularly in areas where there is a great necessity for services, such as training.

Tender Advice Center
Tender Advice Centres are service providers who offer amongst other services, advice on tendering and tender procedures. 12 pilot centres have been created. The pilot phase will run for nine months, after which replication will take place.

Retail Finance Intermediary
Retail Finance Intermediaries are outlets on a retail level which provide finance to small business. These intermediaries can be non-governmental organisations (NGOs), provincial organisations and banks.

Toll-free help-lines for more information on service providers:

Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency: 0800 113 857
Khula Enterprise Finance: 0800 118 815
Centre for Small Business Promotion: 0800 037 007

Source: Annual Review: The State of Small Business in South Africa, ISBN 0-620-21930-0 Publication produced by Ntsika and the Centre for Small Business Promotion

 

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