Mr Cosgrove also announced the investigation of a new reporting regime for small business, calculated to save $55 million to $75 million each year, and the possibility businesses could operate with one identifying number to replace dozens of others, such as tax, incorporation or ACC numbers.
More than 100 people attended the two-hour presentation hosted by the Otago Chamber of Commerce at the Otago Museum's Hutton Theatre, the inaugural event of a six-week 12-seminar programme around the country.
Mr Cosgrove said the recent loss of hundreds of jobs from Fisher and Paykel Appliances, Tamahine Knitwear and PPCS meant even more emphasis had to placed on developing Dunedin's small businesses.
Small business remained the backbone of the economy, accounting for 97% of firms employing 31% of the workforce, but compliance costs remained a key concern for many small businesses.
"It is holding back growth," he said.
He announced a government initiative to investigate the introduction of a Standard Business Reporting model, which would be filed once with the Government and the information distributed to agencies entitled to receive it, he said.
The Government had several free initiatives in place for small- to medium-sized businesses, including websites such as Management Focus and another on the recent China free-trade agreement, e-newsletters and now the Start, Manage and Grow your Business booklet.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie said the event and booklet were a response to small-business concerns that finding information on government programmes and services could be difficult.
"Many small businesses remain unaware of the range and depth of assistance available, including the recently developed web-based business portal www.business.govt.nz," Mr Christie said in a statement yesterday.
