Cape Town - Cape Town recognised the important role of business
and was introducing plans to support it, Mayor Patricia de Lille said on
Tuesday.
"We firmly believe that we need business to succeed in
our city, especially considering that city-regions are the engines of
international economic and social development," she said at a meeting
with the Cape Chamber of Commerce in Cape Town.
"I reaffirm our commitment to this contract (of working
together) and sign on for the next year. The terms we agree to as equal
partners: a responsive government and cooperative businesses."
The launch of the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) was a key step in bringing business, labour and government together.
De Lille said the EDP had almost completed a five-year plan detailing development in the city.
Private sector investment would be encouraged by a
capital budget of almost R5bn for maintenance upgrades and
backlogs on infrastructure.
"Our review of the city's by-laws to ensure
constitutional compliance will be reported on in the coming months. And
we are making steady progress in moving from red tape to red carpet
treatment for business," she said.
Task teams had been appointed to deal with revitalising business districts, to abolish decay and abandoned buildings.
Focus areas would include Bellville, Manenberg, Hanover
Park, Lotus Park, Bishop Lavis, Valhalla Park, Bonteheuwel, Kuyasa,
Atlantis, Athlone, Oceans View and the Mitchells Plain town centre.