Help for Small Businesses in Johannesburg

Posted by Cindy on September 2, 2009

The South African city of Johannesburg just signed an agreement with the UK, which will serve to continue business relationships between the two countries, even after the end of the 2010 World Cup.  This will ensure that travelers and tourists will continue visiting the country, and supporting the local businesses such as the luxury hotels.  Johannesburg resident Jason Ngobeni is the director for Economic Development and he signed the agreement last week. Two other South African cities have already signed the agreement, Capetown and Durban.

This is a program that was part of an initiative of the United Kingdom Trade and Investment policy that was begun just about one year ago, in an effort to build partnerships in the countries that are the hosts of such sports events as the World Cup.   The policy will focus on the smaller business enterprises, and will ensure footholds on the trade and commerce.  The Olympic Games in 2012 will be held in London, and the policies and ideas of the initiative were considered when they began to think about ways to keep the businesses going even after the events have ended.

The ambassador for the UK, Alan Collins, has been part of the planning of the initiative, as well as having served on the board that secured the Olympics for the city of London.  The affects for South Africa are great.  As the city itself began initiatives to further support the local small businesses almost five years ago.  So not only will this initiative serve to bring further business into the city of Johannesburg, it will support the policies that are already intact and underway.  This also may serve to enhance Johannesburg’s opportunities for the hosting of future events.  Officials from both countries have been traveling back and forth and other such cities as Vancouver, Singapore and Sochi, are on board as well.