Border-Kei Chamber of Business
Voice of Business
Founded in 1877, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) is the recognised “Voice of Business” in the Border-Kei region. Headquartered in East London in the Buffalo City Metropolitan municipality, with a satellite branch in Komani, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business is a not-for-profit, A-political, A-religious, membership-based organisation, representing a wide array of businesses in the private sector, academic institutions, public enterprises as well as the NGO sector.
At a national level, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business is a member of the Association of South African Chambers (ASAC), a national lobby body, that focuses on and addresses matters of national economic importance.
The BKCOB has five specific mandates, namely: – Investor attraction, investor retention, stimulating the economy, business support services and business recognition, through our Annual Business Awards programme. As the voice of business, the BKCOB also advocates for the creation of an efficient and sustainable enabling environment, with the local and provincial authorities.
The Border-Kei Chamber of Business also creates a platform for businesses to network, build new business relationships, maintain existing ones, facilitate strategic conversations, make deals and transact and is a platform where members can connect to like-minded individuals outside of their normal circle of influence. The BKCOB continues to support local municipalities in our region, to create towns and cities that attract and retain Investors and where every citizen aspires to live, work and play in.
Membership to the Border-Kei Chamber of Business is open to any registered business or organisation, running ethically compliant operations, from sole proprietors to large multi-nationals public and private sector Companies.
We invite all businesses to become members of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business and to partner with us to ensure that we fulfil the above mandate effectively and efficiently. This will ensure that we, together, create an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive in, so that jobs are created and poverty is eradicated.
WHY JOIN THE CHAMBER
Membership Benefits
- Raise your company profile, and boost your Company status in the Border-Kei Region.
- Tax-deductible membership and event fees.
- Excellent networking opportunities with like-minded business owners outside of your normal circle of influence.
- Marketing Opportunities at various Chamber events and on digital platforms. (T’s & C’s apply)
- The Opportunity to “give back” by joining our Chamber Committees who meet on a monthly basis to facilitate the change we want to see in our region.
- The Opportunity to Mentor and be mentored.
- Access to information on a wide range of topics from funding opportunities to the latest legislative industry trends and changes, etc.
- The Opportunity to build and grow your Social Capital.
- The Opportunity to gain access to new markets.
- The Opportunity to write an article or to be featured in our Quarterly Chamber magazine – the Business Hi-lite.
- Letters of support/ good standing to members trying to access Government tenders.
- Reduced rates for Certificates of origin to exporting members.
- Municipal Billing Help Desk.
- The opportunity to grow personally and professionally, through personal and professional workshops.
- Small Business Support for growing businesses.
- Corporate departmental support, e.g. HR Forum.
- The opportunity to place your CSI spend with trained & vetted NGO’s.
- The opportunity to stay abreast of any topical issues or opportunities, through our weekly “Chamber Opportunities and updates” newsletter.
Services
Trade & Information
We provide a comprehensive service to all members pertaining to business, including assistance with import and export, as well as trade leads.
Letters of Support
We provide letters of support to members wishing to access government tenders, including letters of introduction to Chambers, locally and globally for members attempting to expand their business abroad.
Website
All members details are available on our membership online directory available on our website, where members are entitled to link from the Chambers website to theirs. Members had to sign a form in compliance with the POPIA act.
Committees
The Chamber has a robust and effective committee system to facilitate members participation, growth and development and to enable us to fulfil our role as the “Voice of Business”.
Seminars & Workshops
A variety of seminars and workshops are offered by the chamber to provide information sharing as well as personal and professional training.
Business Support Services
The Chamber serves on several committees and fora. It works with other organisations where the Border-Kei chamber believes strongly in business unity and the transformation of the South African economy.
What support can the Chamber offer your business?
- Employee development
- Training in international trade
- Direct assistance on business challenges
- Export/import support and advice
- Assistance with employee matters
- Information on business regulations & amendments
- Policy, lobbying and advocacy
- CSI database and advice
- Access to markets
- Business-2-Business support and connections.
SME EXPORT SERVICES
What is a CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN and when do I need one?
A Certificate of Origin is a certified document that states what the country of origin is of a specific product. As the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) states, ‘it declares the ‘nationality’ of your product. Certificates of Origin are one-time documents that accompany your shipments. The Border-Kei chamber of business provides export business services to members and non-members!
What accompanies a certificate of origin?
- An Original Invoice
- Packaging list stating the consignment
What Determines the Country of Origin?
The country of origin is determined by:
- Where the product originates from.
- The production process and where the production process takes place.
- What parts or ingredients are in your product.
- We have member and non-member rates.
- The Border-Kei Chamber of Business processes Certificates of origin for the SADC region and internationally.
- We provide export & Import support/advice and training in international trade.
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Border-Kei Chamber of Business
Founded in 1877, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) is the recognised “Voice of Business"
📘 𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐙 𝐙𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓 | 𝐐𝟑 𝐅𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓/𝟐𝟔 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭
The third quarter of the financial year reflects continued momentum across the ELIDZ as we advanced key programmes, strengthened stakeholder partnerships, and deepened our impact in the communities surrounding the Zone.
This edition of ZONEBEAT highlights how we continue to create value beyond the Zone, foster innovation, and deliver on our mandate of investment attraction, enterprise development, and community impact.
📥 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐙 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞: www.elidz.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ELIDZ-ZONEBEAT-Q3-2025-26.pdf
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Photos from Abantu Staffing Solutions's post
The annual Border-Kei Chamber of Business Awards once again highlighted the incredible talent, resilience and innovation within our region. It’s always inspiring to see local businesses and leaders recognised for the positive impact they make every day.
Occasions such as these serve as a reminder of the dedication and high standards that continue to elevate our local business environment, encouraging ongoing excellence.
They also offer an opportunity to reflect on the importance of collaboration, strong relationships and the collective effort that drives meaningful progress within our community.
Congratulations to the winners and finalists on receiving this well-deserved recognition.
#HalcyonGroup #IntelligencewithHeart #CommunityCollaboration #EasternCape #LocalBusiness
Interested in membership?
To join as a member, please fill in the application form or email members@bkcob.co.za
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
– Henry Ford
GET IN TOUCH
EAST LONDON
Tel: 043 743 8438
Email: info@bkcob.co.za
Chamber House, The Hub
Bonza Bay Road, Beacon Bay, 5201
KOMANI
Tel : 060 555 5392 / 063 229 3511
Email: admin@bkcob.co.za
Sign up for newsletter: communications@bkcob.co.za