Mobile business help desk for SMEs in Cape Town launches 

The City of Cape Town has officially launched the Mobile Business Hub which aims to support the growth and recovery of the SME sector in the local economy. 

The Mobile Business Hub aims to assist local SMEs and entrepreneurs

As a mobile service, the newly launched resource will be visiting several communities in Cape Town to offer onsite business support.

Dan Plato, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town comments on the implementation of the much-needed tool.

‘It is significant that we bring this service directly to residents. Businesses are often operating directly within communities and with the Covid-19 pandemic adding limitations and pressures to the way business is done, we need to be more innovative to assist entrepreneurs with growing their skills and expanding their income opportunities. Now more than ever, we can offer support to enable people to start new ventures and empower themselves. A small business owner is feeding a family, paying school fees, and trying to create security for their family. I applaud the courage and determination needed to start a business and with the advice offered by this mobile service, we can help people create their own future. This is another example of our commitment to reducing poverty by implementing policies and interventions that are aimed at supporting the growth of the economy and job creation.’ 

The Mobile Business Hub

Managed by the City of Cape Town’s Enterprise and Investment Department, the Mobile Business Hub and offer valuable insight and resources to members of the public to foster SME and entrepreneurship growth in the city. 

Mayco member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos provides insight into the aims of the new initiative. 

“The mission of the Mobile Business Hubs is to connect entrepreneurs and SMMEs with city services. By doing this, we aim to grow local business through support programmes as well as provide access to new markets and business development assistance.”

In addition, the Mobile Business Hub will be able to facilitate programmes that promote investment, trade, and sector-specific training skills development.

The new service will provide education on the following topics: 

• Starting and growing a business
• Red Tape issues and how this can be resolved 
• City Projects and connecting interested individuals with the right officials and line departments
• Investing in the City 
• Enterprise & Supplier Development. Individuals who want to understand how to do business with the City or Government
• Regulatory Compliance. This will cover the processes and registrations to comply with regards to establishing a business 

The Mobile Business Hub will first stop at the Strand Civic Centre on 15 March 2021 and the full schedule of where the resource will be available can be found here.  www.investcapetown.com

”In 2020, The Business Hub received 2 850 service requests and resolved 98% of these within two working days. Over the past six months, The Business Hub has supported 380 businesses with product and supplier development workshops, by cutting red-tape to make it easier to do business and to compete for big business. With the ability to take our service on the road, we will be able to do more to support a thriving SMME eco-system that creates more opportunities for the residents of Cape Town,” concludes Vos.

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Featured image: City of Cape Town (Supplied)