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"
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! 🚀
Do you have a business idea, a growing enterprise, or a vision to make a lasting impact? This is your opportunity to take your business to the next level!
The Entrepreneur 2026 – Buffalo City Edition is back, offering aspiring and established entrepreneurs the chance to gain the knowledge, mentorship, and support needed to grow sustainable businesses.
✨ What finalists can expect:
✔️ Gain critical business skills
✔️ Receive expert business mentorship and training at no cost
✔️ Develop a professional business plan with industry guidance
✔️ Access business development funding and marketing collateral
✔️ Showcase your business at The Entrepreneur 2026 Exhibition
Over a 10-week business accelerator programme, 20 selected SMMEs will receive intensive business modelling, practical training, and mentorship from accredited business professionals.
📅 Applications close: 08 July 2026
📍 How to apply:
🌐 Visit: theentrepreneurbuffalocity.net.za/homepage/
📧 Email: info@bkcob.co.za to request an entry form.
Submit your completed entry form by email to info@bkcob.co.za or hand-deliver it to the Border-Kei Chamber of Business offices in Beacon Bay.
Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your business potential and join a programme dedicated to developing the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
#TheEntrepreneur2026 #BuffaloCity #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ApplicationsOpen #BKCOB #KingPhaloAirport #ACSA #DailyDispatch #SMMEs #BusinessSuccess
Reminder: Applications for E-Monti Money 2026 are still open!
Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your business, connect with investors, gain valuable exposure, and potentially secure funding to grow and scale your business.
Closing Date: 30 June 2026
Apply now and take your business to the next level:
forms.cloud.microsoft/r/x0MCqmMHHC
#EMontiMoney2026 #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BorderKei #FundingOpportunities #SupportLocalBusiness
🌍 Ready to take your business global?
Join the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, GMLSe, and ECDC for this practical, expert-led training programme designed to help businesses reduce risk, improve efficiency, and unlock new market opportunities with the Internation Trade Training Opportunities.
We offer tailor-made global solutions that provide our clients with superior and competitive results. The GMLS Team is comprised of recognised leaders in the field of International Trade, with a focus on trade facilitation initiatives. GMLS aims to secure the International Logistics Supply Chain by providing superior skills and knowledge transfer to African countries. Benefits to these countries will include maintaining and increasing their participation in world trade, whilst they contribute, in turn, to Global Supply Chain Security.
Why Attend?
✔ Gain practical, industry-relevant skills from leading international trade experts.
✔ Reduce compliance risks and improve operational efficiency.
✔ Strengthen your understanding of global supply chains and customs procedures.
✔ Enhance your competitiveness in local and international markets.
✔ Access expert-led training supported by BKCOB and ECDC to empower regional business growth.
Here are the courses for July:
✅ Import Management
✅ Incoterms® 2020 Rules
✅ Certificates of Origin
✅ Marine Insurance
✅ Customs Compliance
📈 Invest in your future. Strengthen your business. Expand your global reach.
Register Now using this link: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/gWcZgwrBH1
#InternationalTrade #importexport #Logistics #supplychainmanagement #businessgrowth #bkcob #ECDC #gmlse
SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR LAW REPORTS’ ( SALLR ) 42 ND ANNUAL SEMINAR: THE BIGGEST SEMINAR FOOTPRINT COUNTRYWIDE
The SALLR s’ 42 nd annual seminar is the kind of continuing learning event that you always promised yourself you will attend.
You know, the kind you’ve been promising yourself to attend since you started appreciating that labour law, human resources and employee relations are dynamic and ever-changing.
Once again, this annual seminar will be a learning event accredited by the Institute of People Management (IPM), the SA Board for People Practices (SABPP) and the Federation of African Professional Staffing Organisations (APSO) – your attendance details will be recorded with the institution that will issue your continuing professional development (CPD) certificate and these records will be submitted to SAQA (SA Qualification Authority) for audit purposes.
This is obviously a far cry from simply producing a ‘in-house’ certificate as part of a tick-box exercise.
You are cordially invited to download the 2026 registration form from the SALLR website (www.sallr.co.za).
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