BUILDING THE ECONOMY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS

We are committed to working with and supporting the business sector. Not only do we derive much needed revenue from business but it is vital we create an enabling environment to not only sustain existing jobs but to create new jobs and reduce unemployment levels, particularly amongst the youth. Covid-19 and the recent social unrest has had a major impact on our economy. Businesses have closed and jobs have been lost. Families have lost breadwinners. So there is a grave urgency for us as the government to support economic recovery. We have created an incentive package to attract business investment which includes rate’s rebates. The property sector is one of the cornerstones of our economy and we have managed to work through challenges and fast track the issuing of rates clearances certificates.

Challenges with our infrastructure particularly in terms of energy security have been prioritised. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Eskom that allows us to access the support of the power utility in the event of major disruptions to ensure we limit the impact to business. We are in the process of upgrading substations and power distribution grids. We also welcome the national government’s decision to reduce the regulatory burden for independent power producers within certain thresholds and look forward to engaging with our industrialists in this regard.

We are serious about creating an investment friendly climate in the city and commit to further working with organised business and strengthening our existing partnerships. We are amongst the top ten contributors to national GDP and we want to strengthen our position going forward working as the economic hub of the region and district.