Thank you House Chairperson, Minister, various studies have shown that the competitive advantage enjoyed by foreign-owned microretailers is based on them leveraging bulk buying for price discounts and economies of scale ... as you mentioned in your first reply ... as well as sharing debts through peer to peer microfinancing.
In addition, the foreign spaza shops often invest larger capital outlays than local owners. The opportunity here is to build links and synergy. So, what has your department been doing and planning to do in future to facilitate partnerships between the foreign-owned retailers and the local owners to promote access to microfinancing as well as shared benefits amongst stakeholders? Thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you House Chairperson, the question around foreign nationals is a responsibility of the Minister of Home Affairs, who will indicate whether they are legal in the country or