Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies,

Minister Naledi Pandor,

Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe,

Board Members of Proudly South African and Brand South Africa,

Representatives of business and labour,

Adjudicators, 

Compatriots,

 

It is with great pleasure that I address you this evening on the occasion of the second Annual South African Premier Business Awards. 

 

These awards recognise and honour South African enterprises and entrepreneurs who promote the spirit of success, innovation and good business ethics in our economy. 

 

We have over the past two decades of democracy laid the foundation for South Africa to be a better place to live in and do business.  

 

Today, we can confidently say, we have not only a good, but a great story to tell.  

 

The success of the recipients of these awards this evening demonstrates that our country promotes innovation and success, and that opportunities are being utilised to grow businesses and prosper.

 

We have released the Presidency 20 Year Review document, reflecting on 20 years of democracy and freedom. The report accurately and honestly covers the progress made and the areas where we need to do better.

 

Where we have made mistakes in the past 20 years, we say so. Where we have done well but should still do better, we also say so.

 

I would like you to go through the report and use it as yardstick of the road covered and the road we must still travel together, to build a prosperous South Africa.

 

The report demonstrates as well that working together as government, business and labour, we have all contributed to the economic success of our country over the past 20 years, despite the challenges of unemployment that remain.

 

Due to our collaboration, growth and employment have improved markedly, despite the global setback of the 2008 recession. 

 

To further improve the economic situation, the state has taken bold steps to diversify the economy and build our industrial base with a greater emphasis on labour-absorbing employment. 

 

But more work must be done to improve investment prospects and to encourage youth employment in particular, while not neglecting older workers.

 

More work must also still be done to increase the number of small and medium enterprises. 

 

The National Development Plan, supported by the New Growth Path and Industrial Policy Action Plan, identifies what needs to be done to achieve some of these outstanding tasks and imperatives.

 

Among the activities we have identified, is to continue public investment in infrastructure to facilitate economic growth.

 

We will also invest in the maintenance of the infrastructure especially water, electricity and related infrastructure.

 

Of pivotal importance for economic growth, is the need to improve energy security through accelerating our massive build programmes. We are also exploring new opportunities such as through the development of shale gas and nuclear energy.

 

Another key investment into the future that we are prioritising, is the need to further improve the quality of basic education and to substantially expand higher and further education and training. 

 

We have to strengthen links in particular between companies  and Further Education and Training sector, to enhance the provision of the skills required by a growing economy.

 

We have, in previous discussions with business, been sensitised to the need to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

 

In this regard, we have directed departments to continue working to create a business-friendly environment.

 

This means that regulations should be implemented as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, without imposing unnecessary delays or red tape. 

 

We are also prioritising the need to increase financing for industrial development and small and micro enterprise, in order to promote employment and growth.

 

While promoting all these interventions, we also wish to emphasise the need for labour and business to promote workplace stability within the country’s progressive labour relations framework. 

 

We are pleased that labour relations appear to be conducted in the more stable manner compared to the turbulence of the year 2012, during which we experienced tragic loss of life and violence in areas such as Marikana.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We are pleased that many small businesses have participated in this SA Premier Business Awards.

 

In the new term of government there will be an enhanced focus on small businesses as these are the engines of job creation.

 

Informal traders and entrepreneurs must be able to develop their small businesses into larger businesses through support mechanisms and enabling environment.

 

The Davis Tax Committee interim report on how the tax system affects small and medium-sized enterprises will be published soon for public comment. 

 

This exercise will surely enhance government’s efforts to reduce the compliance costs and the regulatory burden experienced by this very important sector.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

As you are aware, one of the achievements of the country in the past 20 years has been the vast opportunities that have been opened in the African continent. 

 

South African business has gone into their continent in big numbers and we encourage more investments inside Africa to promote intra-Africa trade and investment.

 

Another major development was our membership of the BRICS grouping.

 

In the longer term, South Africa's participation in BRICS presents important opportunities to build our domestic manufacturing base and to expand trade and investment opportunities.

 

The potential is demonstrated by South Africa’s bilateral trade with China which has grown by 32% in the last two years. 

 

The proposed establishment of a BRICS-led Development Bank will contribute to enhanced financial support for infrastructure in the continent.

 

Compatriots, 

 

Let me acknowledge all the nominees, finalists and winners of the prestigious South African Premier Business Awards 2014.

 

Let me also thank the Gordon’s School of Business Science and ABSA Bank for supporting the awards. 

 

Through such recognition, we can only promote more innovation, success and growth in South African business.

 

We truly appreciate the work and efforts made by enterprises in our country to embrace government’s call for working together to move this country forward. 

 

We wish all the winners further growth and prosperity!

 

I thank you.