Last year I launched the Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards. This project is part of the Western Cape Government’s efforts to promote job creation and economic growth in the province, with a focus on the small and medium business sector.

These awards are intended to celebrate, support and encourage a culture of entrepreneurship in the province.

The Western Cape Government is committed to creating the enabling environment needed for small businesses to expand and grow. This is because we recognise the critical role small businesses can play in reducing unemployment in the province. The National Development Plan envisages small and expanding businesses could potentially create 90% of jobs in the country by 2030.

One of our main focuses is making it easier to do business in the province by cutting red tape. We have also budgeted over R179 million over the next three years on our government’s Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development programmes aimed at providing business development, procurement support and access to finance to thousands of SMEs.

We also recognise the importance of celebrating our entrepreneurs and acknowledging their hard work and their innovative ideas. This is the aim of the Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards.

I therefore wish to extend an invitation to all small and medium businesses and entrepreneurs to enter their companies into this competition. Awards will be handed out in five categories, which are explained on the website: www.wcpremiersawards.co.za. Each category carries a R90,000 prize, while the overall winner will receive a R100,000 trip for two to an international entrepreneurship event, plus R50,000 to spend on developing or expanding their business.

The closing date for all entries is 15 August 2014.

All the details relating to the Awards programme, competition, prizes and entry requirements can be found on : www.wcpremiersawards.co.za

I look forward to meeting you at the Award Ceremony in November this year.