Since its inception in August 2011, the Western Cape's Red Tape Reduction Call Centre has received 921 calls at a resolution rate of 89.3%.

The breakdown of calls received between August 2011 and December 2012 is as follows:

Categories                     Number of Calls      Percentage

Business Support              563                         61.26%

Business Registration         86                          9.31%

Permits and Licenses         65                          7.03%

Tenders                           54                          5.84%

SARS                              42                          4.55%

Business Infrastructure      35                          3.79%

Building Planning              29                          3.14%

Land Use Management      20                           2.16%

Customs Regulations        11                           1.19%

Business Regulations        11                           1.19%

Environment                    5                            0.54%

Total Calls Logged           921

The majority of calls related to business support queries such as business information; business plan advice; finance-funding; Incentive Grants; and requests for training and mentorship.

Speaking during a site visit at the Western Cape Red Tape Call Centre today, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde said: "According to the 2012 Grant Thornton International Business Report, regulations and red tape are the greatest constraint to business growth in South African, particularly in the property and construction sector."

"Since its inception in August 2011, the Western Cape's Red Tape Reduction Unit has made considerable progress in its quest to cut unnecessary red tape and free the potential of all businesses to participate in the Western Cape regional economy. I am pleased that through the efforts of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism's Red Tape Unit and our service provider, 118 Contact Centre, 89% of calls lodged at our call centre were resolved."

"We today launched the Red Tape Reduction Unit's official Twitter Account @RedTapeWC. This means that Western Cape businesses seeking support can tweet, email the Red Tape Unit at Redtape@westerncape.gov.za, call the Call Centre at 0861888126 and visit the Red Tape Walk-in centre at eG4C, 142 Long Street, Cape Town. We are determined to make it easier for businesses to start, grow and create more jobs in the Western Cape"