![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2017/12/leah_50362.jpg)
The City of Johannesburg‘s MMC for Economic Development, Leah Knott writes:
I would like to wish Joburg residents a Merry Christmas. Please enjoy and value your family time. For us in the City, we know we still have a lot of work to do and will be striving to continuously up our game.
I would also like to wish Joburg residents a happy new year. Our new years’ resolution in the City is to strive even harder to ensure that residents receive the standard of service delivery which they deserve.
I have only been in office for a short period. However, I was very pleased with our Small Business Symposium which culminated in a two-day event at the Joburg Theatre. We had regional engagements across the city in order to listen to small business and to better adapt our support services to meet their practical needs.
Further to this, we are launching our flagship tourist information centre at Mandela Square in early December, just in time for the Christmas holiday rush.
Finally, we have released our first 12 buildings in the inner city for proposals from the private sector. This signifies our first step in our plan to rejuvenate the inner city and boost economic growth there. There will be more to come in the new year as we have an expansive plan to ensure that we cater for all people in the inner city, from low cost accommodation to mixed use retail and community centres.
In the new year, I look forward to us revamping our small business support centres and increasing the bouquet of services on offer. The fresh produce market will also commence with a project to expand its trading floors and to upgrade the Mandela Market.
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