The Joburg Market is a hub of activity for formal and informal traders trading in fresh produce. It will now add those who want to be assisted with developing their businesses to its already busy schedule.
The Department of Economic Development successfully launched the Joburg Market Opportunity Centre in City Deep on March 09, 2021, to champion the City's approach towards an inclusive, job-intensive, resilient, competitive, and smart economy that harness the potential of all citizens.
The OC is situated at the market to assist informal traders and emerging entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses by providing effective SMME support such as information on business development training and support to run sustainable businesses.
As the largest fresh produce market in Africa, informed by the volume of fresh produce traded; the Joburg Market fulfils a critical role in the fresh produce industry to over 6,000 producers whose produce is exposed daily to 9,500 to 11,000 buyers. In addition, the market agents and tenant operating within its facilities create over 5,000 jobs within the sector.
“The centre is situated within the Market due to the economic activities that exist. We have the responsibility to create economic opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs in Region F, specifically non-financial assistance on how to formalise their businesses, market products, accessing markets, compliance advice, business development training and to understand the entire value chain on how to run a successful business. All training workshops will be free of charge and participants will be issued with a certificate of attendance." said Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development Councilor (Cllr) Lawrence Khoza.
The centre identifies and earmark appropriate training workshops and will work with relevant service providers to offer SMME development programmes at the centre with the intent of:
· Offering a “single point of entry" for the SMMEs where a basket of services is being offered
· Registration of their companies and SARS related functions
· Free access to WI-FI for business use
· Assistance with the completion of tender documents and related issues.
· Use of meeting rooms
· Funding research and facilitation, including funding products awareness and guidance on the application process
· A dedicated investment desk with a business adviser
The introduction of the investment desk at the Joburg Market Opportunity Centre will expose SMMEs to explore potential trade and investment opportunities within the SADC region.
To date, the City has eight OCs placed where members of the community, especially emerging small businesses across all sectors, can walk in for relevant service offerings. On 23 March 2021, the City will launch another OC will at Eldorado Park.
All OCs currently host a job seekers database which provides a platform for the unemployed to submit their CV's. The job seekers database can, subject to applicable legislation, be accessed by public and private sector companies.
Entrepreneurs and SMMEs are the backbone of any economy and require effective support for their success. The City aims to establish itself as the entrepreneurial city of the future that offers concrete solutions to pressing issues such as unemployment.
