Cape Town ranks first nationally in Ease of Doing Business Indicator

The City of Cape Town has ranked first in two categories held in the Subnational Doing Business Survey. Securing the first position out of nine others in South Africa, the City of Cape Town has been recognised for Electricity and Construction permits nationally and on the Registering Property indicator.

Cape Town ranks first in SA in two Ease of Doing Business indicators

The Subnational Doing Business Survey is conducted by the World Bank in over 190 economies.

The City’s Mayco Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos comments on the importance of creating a system that allows for ease of business.

“A vital part of creating the right conditions to grow our economy is making it easier to do business. Recognising that there are always ways to improve, means that we have embarked on an extensive and cross-departmental Ease of Doing Business programme. This programme is designed to promote good regulation and processes that yield positive outcomes for both the business sector and the City and increased economic activity.”

According to reports, the National Treasury has “applauded” the City’s Ease of Doing Business programme that it has created as an example of best practices in the country to improve the business environment.

The City’s Enterprise and Investment Department focuses on specific sectors that showcase the potential for growth and display a high investment opportunity and facilitate job creation.  

The East of Doing Business Programme

The Ease of Doing Business programme aims to:

• address administrative and regulatory impediments to business development and growth;
• promote simplifying and mainstreaming permitting and licensing procedures;
• facilitate better regulation administration and applications in ways that minimise unnecessary costs to business and the City;
• build on engagement with private sector engagement and build trust in the City; and
• lobby for the improvement in the quality of City regulatory governance and frameworks

“While the City has been ranked first on construction permits and getting electricity nationally (with the City only responsible for 1 step in a 7 step process) we are not resting on our laurels,” explains Vos.

The City’s Enterprise and Investment Department has assisted the three City regulator departments (Development Management, Energy and Revenue) to develop multi-year reform action plans to address any gaps aimed at making the City more globally competitive.

For example, the Registering Property Reform Action Plan focuses mainly on Enhancements to the current Rates Clearance Automation Project, to improve turnaround times and improve efficiencies.

‘We are deeply committed to taking the necessary steps to make it easier to do business in Cape Town, especially for SMMEs which are the backbone of our economy. I encourage businesses to visit www.investcapetown.com or get in touch with us at business.support@caprtown.gov.za  for assistance. Together and by implementing the right strategies, we can build back better than before,’ concludes Vos.

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Featured image: City of Cape Town (Supplied)