DA's Plan for Growth and Jobs - Democratic Alliance

and (ii) registering the Title Deed. Each of these steps should take less than one day tocomplete, and all relevant information and documentation will be available at local DeedsOffices and at participating local and provincial government departments and agencies. Inaddition, property transfer rates will be reduced to encourage greater liquidity in the propertymarket.Abolish Estate DutiesAbolish Estate Duties in order to put more money in the hands of South Africans toencourage investment and stimulate economic growth.Licenses for private fixed-line operatorsGrant operating licences to additional fixed-line operators in order to encourage competitionin the ICT sector, bring down prices and improve service delivery for consumers. This willbring to an end the monopoly enjoyed by Telkom, which has until now undermined SouthAfrica’s competitiveness in this important sector.New regulatory framework for ICT sectorRe-develop the regulatory framework governing the ICT sector to ensure that broadbandcapacity improves so that prices fall and the internet is accessible to all.The DA in Government: ICT Infrastructure Project Boosts ConnectivityThe Western Cape Government has launched a wide-ranging information andcommunications technology infrastructure project as part of its Cape Catalyst initiative, whichaims to boost the competitiveness of the Western Cape as an investment destination. Theproject will see the development of a West Coast broadband cable; improved connectivity forall government offices and facilities; the integration and extension of existing ICTinfrastructure; the use of schools, community centres and clinics as hotspots to extendhousehold internet use; and connection cost reductions for targeted industries in theWestern Cape. The project aims to have 70% of government offices and every school in theprovince connected by 2014.National Venture Capital FundEstablish a National Venture Capital Fund to provide investment capital to start-ups andearly-stage businesses. The Fund will aim to support innovation in start-ups and SMMEs.Key stakeholders in the programme are: (i) the state; (ii) the venture capital fund; (iii) thefund manager or general partner; and (iv) the implementing agency assigned by the state.Cash-flow assistance for small businessesIntroduce a three year Tax Loss Carry-back for businesses with turnover of less than R5m.This would allow a small cyclical business to recoup a loss by setting it off against a prioryear profit. As an elective alternative, declare that a tax credit that derives from an assessedloss (which hasn’t been claimed as above) can be set off against VAT payable. This willterminate at the commencement of the year following that in which the taxpayer’s estimate oftax for the second provisional payment exceeds R5m.61 | P a g e