KwaZulu-Natal Business 2023-24

Developing and promoting Durban business
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers a wide variety of
services to members, debates current issues through Standing Forums and
advocates for business in the appropriate forums.
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 and 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