Question NW826 to the President of the Republic
13 April 2022 - NW826
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the President of the Republic
What will be the (a) terms of reference and (b) mandate of the newly established red-tape reduction team led by Mr Sipho Nkosi?
Reply:
The Red Tape Reduction Team (RTRT) has a mandate to identify priority reforms and work with other departments and agencies to simplify regulatory processes and unblock specific obstacles to investment and business growth. This is aligned to government’s commitment in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to “reduc[e] the cost of doing business…[through] regulatory changes that seek to optimise the regulatory environment”.
This includes what is often referred to as “cutting red tape”, namely the removal of unnecessary or excessively complicated regulations and inefficient administrative processes which not only create frustration but increase compliance costs, especially for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.
The RTRT will work with and build on existing programmes to improve the business environment, in particular those run by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.
Being based in the Presidency, the RTRT will take a whole-of-government approach to addressing some of the challenges faced, including working with sub-national spheres of government. The RTRT will accordingly play a supporting and coordinating role within government.
The terms of reference are being finalised, and will reflect the mandate described above.