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Services
The benefits of joining chamber?
MISSION STATEMENT
"To be the voice of Business, promoting an environment for growth and sustainability."
We trust that once you read through the benefits listed below becoming part of Chamber will be an obvious business decision.
Introduction
The Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) was established in 1877 and since its inception has championed an enabling environment for business in the region to grow and prosper.
Membership of the Chamber is open to all registered businesses, and ranges from large companies with branches all over the country to owner-run entities. We welcome all businesses who run ethical compliant operations.
The BKCOB is, without doubt, the official voice of business in the region with over 700 members and it works collaboratively with a number of organizations involved in economic development, as well as engaging strategically with provincial and local government towards leveraging economic growth.
At regional level, the Chamber strives to promote the socio-economic advancement of all people living and working in the Border-Kei region. It addresses issues around economic and industrial development; factory and business regulations; rates and local taxation; town planning; crime; traffic and parking; regulations for informal traders; training needs; rail and air transport; freight handling; tourist attractions and shopping hours.
The Chamber is a member of the national South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI) which is affiliated to the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) and to NEDLAC. This gives our members access to powerful decision making bodies that impact the business terrain, nationally and internationally on issues like tax policy; industrial and labour relations and economic controls.
MEMBER BENEFITS
There are a number of direct member benefits which include:
Member Listing
When you join you will receive the Member Listing as part of your package, thereafter we make it available to you at a nominal cost of R114-00. This gives you up to date information on fellow members and their industry classification.
Border-Kei Chamber of Business Membership Certificate
On becoming a member you will receive a personalized membership certificate at a New Members' Induction and Networking Event. This is a useful resource to display in your premises and we encourage member to member patronage.
New Members' Induction and Networking Functions
Chamber holds six New Members' Induction and Networking Functions annually and these provide a valuable informal but structured opportunity to meet a broad range of business people. Sponsors of the event receive an opportunity to present their company's credentials. New members introduce their business and lucky draws add further opportunities and exciting prizes give the evening zing.
Letters of Support
We gladly provide letters of support to members trying to access government tenders and letters of introduction to Chambers in other centres for members attempting to expand their business footprint, whether provincially, nationally or globally.
Business Hi-Lite Magazine
This glossy B2B magazine is distributed monthly free of charge to all our members and keeps you in touch with Chamber activities and developments in our area. New members receive a free business card entry on our new members' page in the Business Hi-Lite Magazine. Chamber outsources the publishing to Intengu Communications and members receive a 10% discount on advertising in the publication.
We welcome members' input. Feel free to contribute pertinent articles around developments in your sector and keep us updated if your company achieves national or international accolades. We also encourage readers to write us to voice their general opinions on the world around them.
Business Bytes
Our monthly electronic newsletter gives a snapshot of activities and upcoming events.
Website www.bkcob.co.za
Members who have websites are entitled to a link from our website to yours. Members are also encouraged to check out latest trade opportunities and news that is regularly updated on the site
Committees
The Chamber has a robust and effective committee system to facilitate members' participation and to enable us to fulfil our role as the "Voice of Business". All committees have a comprehensive Terms of Reference and will tackle issues of relevance in particular sectors. Chamber welcomes members' participation in our various committees that meet once a month.
QUEENSTOWN CHAMBER
BKCOB in Queenstown is dynamic and vibrant with its own Executive and serves members in both the Chris Hani and Lukhanji Municipal areas. Located within this branch of Chamber is the DED-sponsored Local Economic Development Unit that has gained a good track record of SME developmental projects over the past two years.
Chamber Business Units:
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Trade & Information Centre
Located in our East London office, the Trade and Information Centre provides both local and international business related information to our members. Feel free to call about any query, if we don't know we will find out.
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Siyakhana Trust HIV/AIDS Project
This innovative public private partnership focuses on providing a comprehensive primary healthcare program for participating companies' employees and dependants which includes access to quality HIV counselling and testing and HIV and Aids treatment, care and support. TB-treatment has also been included in the project as well as a voluntary testing and council facility open to the public at 21 St Georges Road, Southernwood.
In 2007 we established a dedicated BBBEE Unit which assists businesses to embrace this necessary business imperative as well as support SMME, enterprise and supplier development.
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TradeWorld Tender Service
This is an invaluable opt-in service which will give you full electronic and downloadable details on tenders in your selected field of interest.
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Medical Aid and Provident Fund
Your membership to Chamber entitles you to access a Medical Aid and Provident Fund managed by an outsourced brokerage, Fringemed.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Annual membership fees are determined by a company's permanent staff compliment and are fully tax deductable. Our membership consultant Marchel Du Toit will gladly provide you with a quotation.
BECOMING A MEMBER
Join us today by completing our 2-page membership form download here and faxing it back to us 043 743 2249. Alternatively call us on 043 743 8438.
We look forward to meeting you.
Warm regards
Les Holbrook
Executive Director
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