Promoting business
Promoting business competitiveness and strengthening public-private dialogue The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports and connects members. The 2023 AGM re-elected Jacques Moolman and Derryn Brigg as President and Deputy President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a fourth consecutive year. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Africa’s oldest member-based business chamber, was established in 1804. For over two centuries we have been a catalyst for economic growth, helping to establish our region as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s major centres of trade, industry and innovation. Our key mandate is to support our members’ interests by improving the overall business environment, with a specific focus on sustainable growth. We survey our members and canvass opinion to identify ongoing business challenges and key impediments to growth. We then engage government departments, sector representatives and other relevant institutions to resolve challenges via public-private dialogue. We advocate a proactive and constructive approach, facilitating discussion at a range of events such as skills-training workshops, seminars, webinars, business networking and informal social occasions. Through dialogue we aim to achieve consensus wherever possible. By strengthening public-private dialogue we promote business competitiveness that steers us towards a smarter network economy. Collective action We mobilise all economic stakeholders – private sector, business organisations, local government and national government – to collectively address current challenges. Where necessary, we intervene directly with key government decision-makers, or participate in task teams set up in response to specific challenges. In our engagements we always encourage dialogue between our members in the belief that the business sector is best served by robust debate regarding the issues affecting business life. In this way we seek to improve the overall business environment. Our mandate includes gathering and disseminating information relevant to business activity. In addition to our live events, we provide a digital platform where members can interact and share skills and services. Our website posts, regular newsletters and social-media videos keep members informed about both internal and external affairs. Our dedicated media team leads campaigns and generates content around the most pressing challenges of the day. Chamber staff also assist with a wide range of business enquiries regarding both local issues and international trade and investment. We supply advice and background information wherever possible or direct queries to relevant partner organisations. Our International Trade desk is the first point of contact for international business, and we arrange opportunities for collaboration and networking, giving our members visibility and access to global markets. The Cape Chamber connects its members to a Network of Networks made up of multiple economic sector organisations united under the banner of regional economic growth. Furthermore, our organisation is an active member of the Association of South African Chambers which provides a unified business voice wherever necessary. capechamber.co.za
www.capechamber.co.za We are immensely proud of our 220 year history as the voice of organised business in the Western Cape. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry champions the needs of business in pursuit of sustainable economic development. Through active engagement with all regional economic stakeholders we gauge the pulse of local business activity and respond accordingly in order to effect meaningful change. In particular we facilitate connection in exports, targeted imports and investments in order to unlock new opportunities for our members - both locally and internationally. Through our vast network of dynamic partnerships we give our members, both large and small, visibility and traction. By promoting sustainable growth we create an enabling environment for business to thrive, thereby enhancing economic prosperity. We have a targeted focus on: • enterprise development and capacity building • clustering and sectoral development • precinct development and geographic spread • competitiveness and value chains • advocacy to advance the needs of our members We initiate partnerships with like-minded organisations, spearhead public-private dialogue processes, and identify pain points in the enabling environment. We also mobilise all stakeholders on behalf of our members to steer the Western Cape towards a smarter network economy. Join us to shape a better future. www.capechamber.co.za
