Council approves zero percentage increase on Informal Trading permits
07 June 2023
STATEMENT BY THE CITY'S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS
Last week, I had the pleasure of tabling before Council the City’s
Economic Growth Directorate’s proposal for a zero percentage increase on
Informal Trading Permits for the 2023/2024 financial year. This was approved by
Council again this year.
This approval follows:
- A zero percentage increase on the permits for the current 2022/2023 financial year;
- A 12-month informal trading Permit Fee Amnesty for 2022; and
- The writing off of informal trading permit Covid-19 related arrears for the period 1 April 2020 until 31 December 2021.
The motivation for this zero percent tariff increase can be seen as a direct contribution by the City to create more jobs in the informal trading sector, which we recognise as a major contributor to the local economy and the livelihoods of many Capetonians.
In this same vein, it is important to note that the issuing of Informal Trader Permits is one of the 10 indicators in our Ease of Doing Business Index launched in May. The Index's special focus is on enabling greater infrastructure investment and economic growth in Cape Town with the ultimate aim of creating more jobs in Cape Town through a business-friendly environment. Through this programme, the City will be accountable to all those who are seeking to do business in Cape Town.
This decision for a zero percent increase on Informal Trading Permits for the 2023/2024 financial year is part of our wider plan to allow space for innovation and economic growth within the metro's informal economy.
Under the banner of this plan, the City has allocated in the 2023/2024 Budget just under R100 million towards capital expenditure projects. This means more funds directed towards the upgrade of informal trading infrastructure so that more traders can do their business in environments that are dignified, accessible, and smarter.
More good news is the upgrades being undertaken to the e-permitting system so that we can expand on the City's ability to support and engage the sector through smoother, more interactive applications.
This builds on the projects our team has undertaken in the last year, which includes upgrades to trading sites such as Uluntu Plaza in Happy Valley, Blackheath, and others in areas such as Kuils River, Dunoon, Mitchells Plain, and Ravensmead.
Further developments are on track in communities around the metro, such as Mfuleni, Atlantis, and Masiphumelele. The upgrades are in line with informal trading plans that are based on the unique conditions of each area. I will be visiting these areas to inspect the functionality and business conditions.
I encourage traders to also engage with our team via informal.trading@capetown.gov.za to find out about our various training workshops or sign up for the online sessions listed here https://www.investcapetown.com/news-events/business-events/.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
