AN EXERCISE IN WORLDMAKING 2009 - ISS

52 SERGIO FERRAGUT
both old and new, can find opportunities for the establishment of their
businesses.
THE ROLE OF THE MUNICIPALITY: CREATING A BUSINESS ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT
As experience has demonstrated, “a good business environment encourages
investment and promotes higher levels of growth” (ILO, 2007, page
25), which in turn can create employment to accommodate the needs of
a fast increasing population and the basis for the sustainable development
of the city.
The growth of the private sector relies on continuous investment,
which only remains constant if the investors feel the climate is appropriate
for further development. Initiatives to support the growth of the private
sector can take different forms. In the case of the HCM, the municipality
has over time created the conditions for the market to grow in
a sustainable way and in harmony with the residents of the neighborhood.
An area that in the past was considered to be part of the suburbs,
and therefore unsuitable for carrying business, has transformed itself
over time into one of the most vibrant commercial areas in the city.
The services provided nowadays by the municipality, and coordinated
at the markets by the OASM, include cleaning and maintenance of the
market area, running of a well organized transportation network that includes
two lines of trams and several of buses, provision of parking
space located under the market for four hundred and seventy vehicles,
public toilettes, coordination with local police to make sure the market
and its surroundings are safe, settlement of disputes among vendors and
with residents of the neighborhood and provision of electricity and running
water for the stalls that wish to have that service (Thelma, Police
Officer at the HCM, 2009; Maria, OASM cleaning staff at the HCM,
2009; Marieke, OASM staff, 2009; all first hand interviews).
The sustainable growth of healthy markets requires strong institutions
and regulations and coordination among the different actors involved
and affected by and in the process. The initiative and leadership of the
MTH has resulted in the creation of an environment that is friendly for
further investment. “The investment climate reflects the many locationspecific
factors that shape the opportunities and incentives for firms to
invest productively, create jobs and expand (ILO, 2007, page 26). (see
appendix 1f - 1j).