Government is to launch a fund that will assist informal sector enterprises, particularly those located in the townships, to achieve inclusive growth within the country’s economy.

This was revealed at the Presidential Business Working Group session, hosted by President Jacob Zuma on Friday last week.

The Business Working Group comprises both government and business leaders.

Spokesperson for the Presidency, Mac Maharaj, explained the meeting assessed progress and implementation action plans in focus areas that include:

• Education and skills development
• Infrastructure
• Labour regulatory environment
• Regulatory impact on investment, and
• Inclusive growth.

“Five task teams co-chaired by government and business updated the Presidential Working Group on plans developed and action initiated in the past 15 months,” Maharaj said.

He explained the meeting followed President Zuma’s undertaking in his June State of the Nation Address that government will work together with the private sector to eradicate obstacles to investment, promote inclusive growth and build a more prosperous society.

“All stakeholders have agreed to keep working together in the interest of maintaining momentum in the implementation of the National Development Plan, and in the interest of securing the livelihoods and sustainability of the country’s workforce and business sector,” added Maharaj.

One of the plans the task team concerning the labour market revealed was that an Indaba on labour relations is to be convened by Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Another focus area for the task team is the promotion of workplace stability, democracy and productivity to build business confidence and promote transformation in the workplace.

The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) will also host quarterly meetings with business to update them on the infrastructure build programme, developments and create a forum for business to make inputs on the overall infrastructure build programme.

The projects under the PICC – headed by several departments – covers more than 150 specific infrastructure interventions in the rail, road, ports, dams, irrigation systems, sanitation and electricity sectors.