The City partners with Productivity SA to boost small businesses

A new initiative from the City of Cape Town in partnership with Productivity South Africa will build on local government’s support for small businesses:  Read more below:

Building on Productivity SA’s previous successes during 2020, the Productivity Efficiency Programme will continue to assist small businesses in Cape Town (those who employ 15 to 50 workers) to improve productivity and efficiencies.

‘The objective of this programme is to assist organisations by creating a mechanism to proactively address the challenges that confront them and prevent possible liquidation, closure or job losses.

‘We are constantly engaging with our business network to determine businesses’ immediate needs and to assist with channelling enterprises towards the appropriate sphere of government for assistance,’ said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Asset Management and Economic Opportunities.

Last week, Alderman Vos visited Imvusa Plastics in Atlantis, one of the small businesses that had received support through the initiative.

‘Through our business support programme facilitated by Productivity SA, we helped them to become more competitive and productive by reviewing and improving their internal operations,’ said Alderman Vos.

Imvusa Plastics said the City’s assistance is an opportunity to further grow and develop their business.

‘We are privileged and honoured to be part of the Productivity Efficiency Programme and look forward to the implementation phase. Thank you to the City of Cape Town for what you have done for us,’ said Chaentine Warnock from Imvusa Plastics.

Support is offered to Cape Town-based companies whose municipal accounts are in arrears for more than three months and who are classified as being in distress.

Financially distressed companies are businesses experiencing one or more of the following:

• the inability to meet financial obligations,
• a decline in profits,
• a decline in sales,
• a reduction in cash flow,
• the need to retrench staff or close

For more information on the Productivity Efficiency Programme, or to apply for assistance, call the Business Hub on 021 417 4043 or email business.support@capetown.gov.za, or visit the website http://wordpress-local:8081/how-can-we-help/business-hub/.