South Africa’s (SA) Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni says government is looking at ways to support automotive businesses facing rising input costs, infrastructure challenges and pressure to remain competitive.
Ndabeni visited automotive supplier Acoustex in Gqeberha, Easten Cape Province, as part of a broader consultative engagement with small businesses in the sector.
The engagement forms part of government’s efforts to develop a One National Plan for the Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, aimed at creating an enabling environment for small businesses to grow and participate in key sectors of the economy.
A small automotive business, with a massive contribution to the overall production of major vehicle companies.
The company employs 73 people in its core operation and has an annual turnover of around $3.88 million.
The workers here manufacture essential components for companies like Volkswagen, Isuzu, Ford and many others.
But being part of the automotive value chain comes with significant financial and operational challenges.
–SABC–
