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Eastern Cape Business 2018 edition

  • Text
  • Mandela
  • Water
  • Electrical
  • Services
  • Financial
  • Municipal
  • Infrastructure
  • Water
  • Manufacturing
  • Sectors
  • Tourism
  • Energy
  • Development
  • Industrial
  • Business
  • Investment
  • Nedbank
  • Provincial
A unique guide to business and investment in the Eastern Cape. The 2018 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 11th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape’s investment and business opportunities are highlighted in this publication. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on the role of the renewable energy sector on the region’s future and on the growth of tourism (spurred by the hosting of international events such as the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, the first-ever cricket Test match to be played at night at St George’s Park and Vodacom Origins of Golf events at St Francis Links). All of the major business chambers in the province have made contributions to the journal. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.easterncapebusiness.co.za. Updated information on the Eastern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.

PROFILE Border-Kei

PROFILE Border-Kei Chamber of Business provides key services to over 700 member organisations, and aims to be the “voice of business” in the area. Value proposition To be the “voice of business” promoting an environment for growth and sustainability through maintaining strong, proactive relations with both internal and external stakeholders, including provincial and local government, member companies, other business organisations and organised labour. Geographic areas of operation Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) has offices in East London and Queenstown which serve the greater Border-Kei region. Services and benefits to members BKCOB offers the following key services: Member listing – After joining, members receive the member listing as part of their package. • Border-Kei Chamber of Business Membership Certificate. • New members’ induction and networking functions – The 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 businesspeople. • Letters of support – The chamber provides letters of support to members trying to access government tenders, and letters of introduction for members attempting to expand their business footprint. • Business Hi-Lite Magazine – This glossy B2B magazine is produced quarterly adding relevant topics and information/news of what’s happening. It also features chamber activities and developments in the area. • Trade & Information desk – Chamber is geared to provide information on almost any matter or topic. We also liaise with a number of Embassies and Trade Consuls to seek business and trade opportunities. • Investbuffalocity.com – A collaborative initiative where members can find various economic information on Buffalo City. It provides a platform to attract international investors, as well as provide exposure for local companies. • Committees – The chamber has a robust and effective committee structure to facilitate members’ participation, and to enable the chamber to fulfil its role as the “voice of business”. Over 120 voluntary business professionals participate. Turnover BKCOB represents over 650 member organisations that generate an estimated annual turnover of R73-billion, and that employ some 58 000 people who earn an estimated annual income of R19-billion in total. KEY CONTACTS Executive Director: Les Holbrook Head of Communications: Candi Ferreira Tel: +27 43 743 8438 | Fax: +27 43 748 1507 Email: info@bkcob.co.za or communications@bkcob.co.za Physical address: Chamber House, The Hub, Beacon Bay, Bonza Bay Road, East London Website: www.bkcob.co.za Contact: Jacqui Austin at members@bkcob.co.za or 043 743 8438. EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018 28

Promoting business in the region Les Holbrook, Executive Director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), highlights the reasons that investors should look no further than the Eastern Cape. PROFILE What are some of the Chamber highlights for the past year? The Chamber tackles many and varied projects and focusses primarily on areas where the focus is on the cost and ease of doing business. Two years ago we handed back to Provincial Treasury a pilot project titled Buy Eastern Cape. The Chamber plans to revive this initiative to mitigate the loss of opportunities pouring out of the province. Strategic steps will now be taken to increase the procurement for enterprises located within the province. Our lobbying in favour of renewable energy saw the Chamber focus on “Greening our Office.” After eight months of intense capacity building, our office in East London is now the only Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Africa that qualifies to be listed as Green. INVEST BUFFALO CITY, our flagship project, signed MOUs with four stakeholders in our region, committing to initiatives that focus on inward investment and on retaining existing investment – on the principle of Invest, Work, Live & Play. An associated project to the IBC project is A Call-2-Action, an initiative where business partners with the municipality towards a Clean & Green City, underpinned by waste recycling. Following on from the very first Maritime Summit held in the Metro, business and the Metro have partnered with TNPA to construct a new Growth and Expansion plan to turn the ‘tired’ Port around. We also have a forum to promote opportunities in the Blue Economy. Why should investors consider the Eastern Cape? Buffalo City is equidistant from Gauteng and the Western Cape, with good logistics and competitive costs, offering air, road and sea connectivity, all reasons for a successful and vibrant East London Industrial Development Zone. This is supported by the most moderate climate all year round, a productive coastline, and a lifestyle supported by the 15-minute city. With the first automotive tertiary training academy and artisan development, skills in the manufacturing sector are adequately supported. This includes the best and most efficient IDZ in SA, that is ISO rated and has world-class infrastructure that includes a Science and Technology Park. What is the biggest challenge for regional business? Municipal services and infrastructure maintenance. Buffalo City Municipality is spending hundreds of millions on a very old infrastructure. However, great strides have been made and the future looks very positive. Les Holbrook BIOGRAPHY Les Holbrook has a National Technical Certificate as well as a Certificate in Management from Rhodes University. Prior to his appointment as the Executive Director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, he was the Deputy General Manager of Beier Industries of Transkei and Executive Director of the Transkei Chamber of Industries. 29 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018

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