Border-Kei Chamber of Business
Voice of Business
Founded in 1877, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) is the recognised โVoice of Businessโ 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.ย 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. (Tโs & Cโs apply)
- The Opportunity to โgive backโ 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 โ 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 NGOโs.
- The opportunity to stay abreast of any topical issues or opportunities, through our weekly โChamber Opportunities and updatesโ 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 ย 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 โVoice of Businessโ.
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, โit declares the โnationalityโ 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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FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH OUR LATEST NEWS & EVENTS
Border-Kei Chamber of Business
Founded in 1877, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) is the recognised โVoice of Business"
๐ Are you making a difference in your community? This opportunity could be for you!
The IWISA No. 1 Community Champions Competition is celebrating 70 years of filling communities just right by recognising businesses and organisations that are creating real, lasting impact.
๐ Stand a chance to win:
๐ฅ 1st Prize: R70 000 + development opportunities
๐ฅ 2nd Prize: R50 000 + business training & development support
๐ฅ 3rd Prize: R30 000 + business training & development support
๐ฐ R600 000 in cash prizes will be shared across four regions, with three winners per region.
๐
Entries close: 19 July 2026
Apply now using the link below or scan the QR code on the poster:
๐ qr.premierfmcg.com/webpage/20070002?textRef=A9375C99-1E2D-4A44-9444-82E189F5267B
Don't miss this opportunity to gain recognition, funding, and business development support for the incredible work you're doing.
World & National Clean Up Day!
The Border-Kei Chamber of Business invites all businesses, schools, faith-based organisations, NGOโs and any other interested stakeholders to join us on World Clean Up day, to clean up Buffalo City. Clean cities = Safer cities = more Tourists and Investors which leads to a booming economy.
So, lets clean up Buffalo City Metro as the first step towards a vibrant and booming economy.
DATE: 19 September 2026
TIME: 09H00 - 12H00
HOW:- Register your team at Border-Kei, Choose any stretch of 1-2km road anywhere in East London, Put up your branding for maximum visibility.
Email address:- info@bkcob.co.za
Link to form: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jiE0GGN7Syโ Fill out form
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: 31 July 2026
Apply now and take your business to the next level:
forms.cloud.microsoft/r/x0MCqmMHHC
#EMontiMoney2026 #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BorderKei #FundingOpportunities #SupportLocalBusiness
๐ 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?
โ Gain practical, industry-relevant skills from leading international trade experts.
โ Reduce compliance risks and improve operational efficiency.
โ Strengthen your understanding of global supply chains and customs procedures.
โ Enhance your competitiveness in local and international markets.
โ Access expert-led training supported by BKCOB and ECDC to empower regional business growth.
Here are the courses for July:
โ
Import Management
โ
Incotermsยฎ 2020 Rules
โ
Certificates of Origin
โ
Marine Insurance
โ
Customs Compliance
๐ 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
โ๏ธ Stay Compliant. Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.
Join the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, in partnership with SEESA, for an insightful Labour Law & Regulations Compliance Training designed to help employers confidently navigate workplace discipline and labour compliance.
๐ Topic: Progressive Discipline in the Workplace
๐
Date: 23 July 2026
๐ Time: 09h00 โ 12h00
๐ Venue: Chamber Boardroom, Chamber House, The Hub, Beacon Bay
๐ค Guest Speaker: Jason George
SEESA Provincial Manager โ Labour Division: Operations
๐ผ Prices
โ๏ธ Members: R150
โ๏ธ Non-Members: R250
Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, manager, or supervisor, this practical session will equip you with the knowledge to manage disciplinary matters fairly, effectively, and in line with current labour legislation.
Book through this link:
forms.cloud.microsoft/r/guLTDTxqDT
๐ RSVP: 043 743 8438
๐ง members@bkcob.co.za
Secure your seat today and strengthen your workplace compliance.
#BKCOB #SEESA #LabourLaw #WorkplaceCompliance #BusinessTraining #HR #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #EastLondon #BeaconBay
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 LONDONย
Tel: 043 743 8438
Email: info@bkcob.co.zaย
Chamber House, The Hub
Bonza Bay Road, Beacon Bay, 5201
KOMANI
Tel : 060 555 5392 /ย 063 229 3511
Email: admin@bkcob.co.zaย
Sign up for newsletter: communications@bkcob.co.za