Atlantis has a new one-stop shop where entrepreneurs can get everything under one roof.
This was underscored by Alderman James Vos, Mayco Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, at the launch of the Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office (AIFO) on Monday 23 August.
Falling under the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department, it offers support to high-growth sectors to facilitate accelerated economic growth, job creation and economic inclusion, he explained.
Vos explained the department’s mission is to attract and retain foreign direct investment, which is of strategic importance to the economic development of Cape Town.
“The Atlantis Investment Facilitation Office is key to this service offering,” he told councillors and guests, “and was established to help create a positive economic climate and to help build an enabling business environment.”
He said the City of Cape Town is a business-friendly destination that prioritises an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMMEs and investors.
The mayco member described AIFO as a one-stop shop collaborating with companies to promote growth and facilitate the ease of doing business in Atlantis and its surrounding areas.
The centre’s core services include:
. Economic and business advice
The team provides economic information, guidance on legal aspects relating to business activities and connect clients with other business information sources.
. Help with location selection
The facilitation team can also assist with the site identification and selection process and securing municipal service delivery to business sites.
. Business establishment
Advise on and assist with land use application, building plan applications and facilitate negotiations on municipal incentives
. After-care services
Include facilitating networking among investors and developers
Resolving service bottlenecks.
Also offer support to businesses experiencing financial distress and assist with business retention and expansion.
. Creating opportunities for businesses to grow and, more specifically, Capetonians are at the heart of all the directorate does.
Vos encouraged the community and councillors to make use of the services rendered at the office and asked the councillors to ensure that businesses operating in their respective wards are aware of this service offering.
