Small business issues underrepresented on WEF agenda

Stephen Kelly, CEO of Sage

Sage CEO Stephen Kelly has lamented the absence of small business issues from the agenda, and called for greater representation, given that in most economies entrepreneurs, or business builders, creates two thirds of all jobs.

Clearly the role of government in helping navigate uncertain economic and political times will be key.

• Almost half (46%) singled out export opportunities, and grants as being the most important thing that government can do.
• The second most important was improvements to the political stability (45%).
• Creating a stable regulatory environment ranked third (38%).

In order to give business builders a platform to connect with policy makers, Sage is launching its ‘Forum for Business Builders’. The Forum brings entrepreneurs from around the world insights, events and policy-forming partnerships to give them a powerful collective voice that can be heard on the world stage.

Heroes of the economy

Sage CEO Stephen Kelly, said: “Only too often when the world’s policy makers discuss the global economic picture, small businesses are excluded from the discussion. This is most evident with the annual World Economic Forum in Davos where small businesses aren’t an item on the agenda. Worse still, 60% don’t even know the event is taking place. It’s crazy when you consider that small businesses create two thirds of all the jobs in most economies, and represent over 98% of all businesses."

Kelly continues “Business builders are the heroes of the economy. They toil away long after the rest of us have gone home, making personal sacrifices to grow their businesses, to support their families and build their communities. Policy makers and big business must wake up to the fact that these heroes need to be supported and given a voice, if we are to ensure the future health and prosperity of the world’s economy.”

SA's small business resilience

Anton van Heerden, managing director and executive vice-president, Africa & Middle East at Sage, states: “South Africa’s small businesses are resilient and it is heartening to see how determined our entrepreneurs are to get to the top. They hold the key to creating jobs, reducing inequality and creating a more thriving South Africa.”

He continues: “It is promising to see that the South African government is putting the small and medium business sector at the centre of its economic policies. By listening to small business owners and supporting them with a stable political environment and the right policies, government has the opportunity to turbo-charge South Africa’s growth.”

“With Davos taking place and South Africa’s annual Budget Speech not far away; we’d be interested to learn what is important for our country’s small businesses. In a world where only the voices of the biggest are heard, we will always fight to hear the voice of the entrepreneur,” concludes van Heerden.

The Forum is open to all small businesses and will be refreshed regularly with diverse content and insights from guest contributors and advisors.