The Gauteng government plans to pilot micro-financing loans and grants to informal traders in the province. This announcement was made by an economic cluster of MECs on Thursday.
Sapa reports that the province would work with municipalities and consult the informal sector to finalise an informal trading strategy, the MECs said in a statement.
Informal traders in Pretoria have complained that Tshwane metro police were harassing them and confiscating their stock.
Similar incidents were reported in Johannesburg after the municipality removed all street vendors, including those legally entitled to trade, as part of an operation to register them.
“The persistent challenges facing the informal traders in our towns and cities remain a serious concern. We are determined to address the plight of informal traders, many of whom are women and men who are engaged in the sector as survivalists and breadwinners.”
The province further intended to regenerate old township industrial sites to stimulate the township economy.
“In pursuit of this objective, we will roll out the township enterprise hubs across Gauteng’s oldest townships,” the MECs said.
The plan was to refurbish infrastructure in and around townships to attract private sector investment.
“We have earmarked old industrial parks in Residentia, Katlehong, Babelegi, Ekandustria, and Emndeni for this intervention.”
The cluster hoped the revamping of Metrorail systems in Gauteng would lead to further economic growth.
Plans to create an airport city around the OR Tambo International Airport were expected to be finalised during the year.
Gauteng plans informal trader grants: [Business Report]
See Also: Township Business Funding Opportunities
