The Department of Small Business Development, alongside SEDA and the Local LED office today gathered with 70 community members under the SMME umbrella to engage on matters pertaining to the Township and Rural Empowerment Programmes (TREP), which supports informal, micro and small enterprises and cooperatives in the rural and township economies. TREP provides blended finance and business development support to various sectors with a view of promoting their participation in the mainstream economy. Kerileng Monyeki, deputy director local economic development for the department of Small Business Development, elaborates on the essence of the program. Insert - Essence Entrepreneurs raised the question on what happens in the event where businesses do not succeed and thus fail to repay the funds. Monyeki says that entrepreneurs have a turnaround time of 3 to 6 years to repay the funds. He adds on the repaying of funds……………… Insert - Funds

Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com