Developing and promoting Durban business

International Business

Access to the international market

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC assists you in expanding your business globally by connecting you with international chambers around the world. This means that our members have complete access to international chambers of commerce and embassies, thus opening a world of possibilities and business opportunities internationally.

Certificates of Origin

Through our International Business Unit, we produce Certificates of Origin (CO). A CO is a document required for all export processes to prove that the goods are from South Africa, the country of origin. We pride ourselves on being a reputable organisation that is respected in industry. Our CO business is governed by strict compliance guidelines and principles which ensure that every CO produced by the chamber for your product will be 100% vetted and compliant.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SMME support

Through the Business Development division, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to support and transform small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), including informal businesses in the Durban area, into sustainable businesses ready to do business with large entities. We offer non-financial assistance such as skills development, mentorship, networking workshops and oneon-one consultations.

Company and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

Durban Chamber has been trusted by CIPC to be the agency that does most of the business legalities in KwaZulu-Natal such as company registrations, CIPC annual returns, name changing, company amendments, directors’ amendments and company name reservations.

Informal sector business assistance

The Durban Chamber has more than 54 000 informal traders who receive assistance with their business needs through the associations they belong into. These businesses have a special membership package which is discounted to accommodate them. Just like SMMEs, they receive nonfinancial support such as skills development, mentorship, networking workshops and one-on-one consultations.

Policy And Advocacy

We continue to add value for our members through our robust interactions and partnerships with both the private and public sectors. These initiatives are over and above the numerous value-adding services offered by the chamber and our system of Standing Forums, which meet regularly to consider and debate relevant issues within the sectors that they represent. Our policy a nd advocacy initiatives ensure that we are constantly:

• Identifying government policies relevant to business in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal

• Informing, through research and giving a broader perspective and on such policies

• Liaising with relevant institutional structures to enhance robust collaboration

• Amplifying core issues that impact business with short, medium and long-term perspectives

• Promoting an appreciation of broad-based economic, social and environmental sustainability

• Advocating good practices to our members and enabling policy for the city, province and state

• Assisting in promoting partnership approaches to complex problematic issues affecting business