The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) in collaboration with Chinese Business Association recently held a Business Compliance Engagement.
MEC Bitsa Lenkopane delivers an address on behalf of the Provincial Government at the North West overseas Chinese Merchants Association 77th National Day Commemoration Festival Gala Dinner.
The engagement was led by the North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, and is aimed at strengthening compliance with legislation prescripts among Chinese entrepreneurs operating businesses across the province.
The session was held at Mmabatho Convention Centre today, hosted by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in collaboration with the North West Chinese Association, and aims to enhance regulatory alignment and foster economic cooperation between China and North West Province.
“We invite prospective investors to support local skills development, record existing investments, and commit to expansion projects that create jobs, protect workers, and uplift the people of the North West province.” MEC Bitsa Lenkopane.
The engagement forms part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to promote lawful, compliant and responsible business practices, while strengthening cooperation between government regulators and the business community.
Approximately 100 Chinese business owners from across the province attended the engagement, which provided practical information on the legislative and regulatory requirements governing their operations.
Key areas of focus included lawful entry and residence in South Africa, business licensing and registration requirements, liquor licensing, compliance in the hardware and spaza shop sectors, wholesale and distribution requirements, the sale of compliant goods, food safety standards, SABS requirements, ICASA compliance, labour and employment legislation, and SARS requirements.
Representatives from various regulatory institutions provided presentations and engage directly with business owners.
These include the Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service (SAPS), South African Revenue Service (SARS), National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
The engagement created a platform for business owners to raise compliance-related challenges, seek clarity on regulatory requirements and engage government institutions on practical measures to ensure that their businesses operate within the law.