On 25 October the Bergrivier Municipality hosted business stakeholders operating in Piketberg at the local museum, to establish a business chamber.
The municipality’s strategic services department led a high-level discussion with representatives from the business sector, with a firm focus on partnering, sharing ideas and planning towards a better future for the town and its citizens.
Alletta van Sittert, Manager of strategic services, said that without the business sector’s involvement in the planning processes of the municipality, the needs of the sector will not be known, which will hinder all efforts to creating an enabling environment for economic growth.
Twenty-one representatives attended the inaugural inception meeting, to establish the Piketberg Business Chamber (PBC). All guests were welcomed by Riaan de Vries, Mayco member.
De Vries reminded everyone of the important role businesses play in driving socio-economic development within the area.
He encouraged business owners to engage the municipality during its planning processes, like with the five- year strategic plan called the Integrated Development Plan (IDP); the Spatial Development Framework that is drafted and revised every five years (SDF), and the annual municipal budget.
The entire engagement was facilitated by Johnny de Silva, chairperson of the Velddrif Chamber of Commerce.
Anyone interested in joining the chamber or who would like to receive more information can contact Chantal Booyse at chantalb@apii.org.za or July Elston at judy@raravis.co.za
For more information about the Small-Town Regeneration Programme, contact van Sittert at sb@bergmun.org.za
