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Boost for small business

Michael Tlhakudi

Michael Tlhakudi

About 300 small businesses from across Free State will benefit from Small Business Week.

The venture, a brain child of the provincial Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economics Affairs, aims to empower small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Department spokesman Kgotso Tau said: "Despite the significant increase in the expenditure on state social services over the years, the rate of business transactions involving SMMEs in the province is far from satisfactory."

He said procurement trends showed that small businesses remained interested in services offered by government departments.

"This sector operates largely in the second economy and continues to fight for the ever-shrinking stake in fast-line commodities such as stationery, cleaning, security and catering.

"Very little impact, if any, is made in lucrative businesses such as information technology, property management, environmental management and engineering," Tau said.

The event will take place in Bloemfontein from February 26 to 28.

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