The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the R4.5 million spent by the Department of Economic Opportunities and Tourism on the construction of trading spaces for informal traders and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the 2019/2020 financial year. The initiative includes the establishment of container parks in the Cape Agulhas and Witzenberg Municipalities, and the construction of commercial properties in the Laingsburg Municipality.
MPP Deidré Baartman says: “In total, R4.5 million has been spent on these infrastructure projects with Cape Agulhas Municipality receiving R1.34 million; R1.68 million for the Witzenberg Municipality; and the Laingsburg Municipality receiving R1.48 million.
The Cape Agulhas project is already complete and the Standing Committee will visit the initiative in February 2021. The Witzenberg and Laingsburg projects are under construction, with the Laingsburg project set to launch on the 17th of December with local businesses and traders invited to participate. The department has also supported the Laingsburg Municipality in training SMMEs in the area to offer local businesses the best opportunity to succeed.
These infrastructure projects in partnership with local municipalities and the Western Cape Government enable SMMEs and informal traders to establish their business formally and gain access to government support. The spaces provided offer businesses and entrepreneurs the chance to develop within the local economy and grow their operations.
Informal businesses and SMMEs are the backbone of the Western Cape economy, and are important job and growth generators. By supporting these businesses, the Western Cape Government demonstrates its commitment to bring jobs and dignity to residents of the province.”
