Business owners and industry groups are encouraged to have their say on how the NSW Government can support small businesses and provide feedback on the Government’s Business Connect advisory program.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the consultation would help the NSW Government design future support programs for small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of their communities and it’s so important that we support them to stay in business,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The past 12 months were challenging for many small businesses and as we move forward, we want to ensure we have the best measures in place to provide the support they need to survive and thrive.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting small businesses to start, run, grow and adapt as a critical component of its priorities for economic growth in the state.
“Even before the unprecedented economic turmoil brought by the COVID pandemic, small businesses valued engagement with programs like Business Connect to enhance their ability to innovate, increase productivity and jobs, and build resilience in the face of disruption and uncertainty. This is particularly true for small businesses operating in regional areas or seeking to improve their digital readiness.”
As part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget, the NSW Government committed $39.3 million to extend the Business Connect program for three years, ensuring small business across NSW can continue to access independent and confidential advice.
“Business Connect provides hundreds of business events and resources including live and on-demand webinars, online workshops, fact sheets and training videos to complement advisory sessions,” Mr Tudehope said.
The Business Connect program and Have Your Say feedback will be evaluated by an external organisation, Accenture, who will provide recommendations on how the NSW Government can deliver even better support for small businesses in the future.
Visit this website to complete the survey. Consultation is open until 24 May 2021.