# Small Enterprise Bill

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/small-enterprise-bill/
- Published: 2023-10-19T16:04:51+02:00
- Author: dearSA

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![The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development invites you to submit written
comments and indicate interest in making oral submissions on the National Small 
Enterprise Amendment Bill [B16-2023].](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/
uploads/2023/10/19155537/Small-business.jpg "Small business")

![DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/
02/08135845/DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA.png "DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA")

### **0**** **comments delivered to parliament so far (closes 10 November 2023)

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[click to view info, statements, documents and videos ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/small-enterprise-bill/summary)

[click to view comments from other participants ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/small-enterprise-bill/comments)

### The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development invites you to comment on the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill.

## Have your say – shape the paper.

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![D-icon](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/11192438/
D-icon-40x40-1.png "D-icon-40x40")

The Bill states that the agency will be funded by money appropriated from Parliament,
income gained through investment, grants, donations, bequests made to the SEDFA 
and money lawfully raised from any other source.

The new potential legislation will also create the Office of the Small Enterprise
Ombud Service. Section 17E of the Bill states that the purpose of the Ombud is the
following:

“The objective of the Office is to adjudicate and dispose of complaints in terms
of this Act in a manner which is procedurally fair, economical, and expeditious 
and by reference to what is equitable in all the circumstances, with due regard 
to—

 1.  a. existing contractual arrangement or other legal relationship between the complainant
        and any other party to the complaint; and
     b. the provisions of this Act.
     c.  a. The Ombud and any deputy Ombud must act independently and impartially.
         b. The Office of the Ombud must fulfil advocacy functions.

The Department added that the Bill also makes certain provisions for the Minister
to proclaim that certain practices in relation to small enterprises be prohibited
as unfair trading practices.

Primarily, the Bill seeks to, amongst others, provide for the disestablishment of
the Small Enterprise Financing Agency, the Co-operative Banks Development Agency
and the Small Enterprise Development Agency and make provision for the establishment
and registration of the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), as 
well as the establishment of the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service.

Furthermore, it makes provision for the Minister to declare certain practices in
relation to small enterprises to be prohibited as unfair trading practices and make
regulations; provide for the transitional arrangements necessitated by the establishment
of SEDFA; and to effect consequential or necessary amendments to the Co-operative
Banks Act of 2007, as well as the Co-operatives Act of 2005.

[View more info ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/small-enterprise-bill/summary/)