a) The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) together with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) are looking at a multi-pronged approach for supporting SMMEs affected by loadshedding:
1. The Power Purchase Product (PPP) is an immediate relief for formal and informal enterprises (alternative power sources). It is an initiative of the SBD Portfolio (DSBD, Seda and sefa) to support SMMEs with alternative energy generating equipment (generators and Photovoltaic installations - PV). The programme will be implemented via the existing programme structures as follows:
2. Guarantee programme via the Bounce Back Scheme administered by Khula Credit Guarantee (KCG) on behalf of government. This is a medium to long term intervention that still require intense discussion relevant parties including the National treasury who are the custodian of the scheme.
(b) The Department will provide support to formal and informal enterprises as immediate intervention and within the available financial resources whilst working on the medium and long terms sustainable solutions.
STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS
MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPEMENT