Question NW3444 to the Minister of Small Business Development
12 October 2015 - NW3444
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development had undertaken any official international travel since 1 January 2015; if so, in each case, (a) why did she undertake the specified trip, (b) who travelled with her, (c) to which destinations did she travel and (d) what was the total cost of each specified trip?
Reply:
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development has undertaken official international trips since January 2015.
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil from 12 – 18 May 2015 to lead a delegation of women to participate at the 25th Global Summit of Women. The theme of the Summit, Creative Women – Creative Economies, underscored the innovation that women bring to the world’s economies. The Summit’s focus was on innovative and creative solutions by government, business and civil society to advance women’s economic status globally. Travelling with the Deputy Minister were her Official Companion, Head of Office and Assistant Administrator, and the total cost of the trip was R348 366.26.
The Deputy Minister travelled to the United States of America to lead two (2) delegations of SMMEs to the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub Show Atlanta, July Show, and the Santa Fe Folk art market in New Mexico from 07 – 10 July 2015 and 10 – 13 July 2015, respectively. In January 2014, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) launched the South African permanent showroom at the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub for South African high-end products. The main purpose of the permanent showroom is to expose products, including arts and crafts, of SMMEs and Cooperatives to the international markets. The Deputy Minister then proceeded to the Santa Fe International Folk art Market (SFIFM) which features master folk artists from 60 countries, and is proclaimed as the largest consumer market providing opportunities to traditional artisans to showcase handmade goods. The SFIFM provides a platform for traditional art manufacturers to sell their products to a niche market consisting of art galleries, museum, art collectors and antique curators. The Deputy Minister travelled with her Official Companion, Head of Office and Private Secretary at a total cost of R738 218.99
The Deputy Minister accompanied the Progressive Business Forum (PBF) SMME Trade Delegation to Instanbul and Ankara, Turkey from 26 – 31 July 2015. The primary objective of the PBF is to create of a platform of dialogue between the business community and Government. To this end, the PBF has hosted a number of international trade delegations which included countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Vietnam, Mauritius, Tanzania, Cuba, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Brazil, China and more. In each case a Deputy Minister accompanied the delegation, and in this case an invitation was extended to the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development. The Deputy Minister travelled with her Private Secretary at a cost of R83 713.34. The Forum covered the Deputy Minister’s costs.
The Deputy Minister travelled to Maputo, Mozambique to attend the 51st Edition of Maputo International Trade from 29 August – 03 September 2015. Traveling with the Deputy Minister was a Media Liaison Officer, Official Companion, Head of Office and a Private Secretary, and the total cost of the trip was R238 730.45