Your dynamic Chamber has a wide and varied range of business services designed to help you secure business opportunities and operate your business more efficiently and profitably.
FREE SERVICES
• Chamber Website
All members are given free access to the Chamber website at www.durbanchamber.co.za including the member login section. The website contains information on international trade, an introduction to importing/exporting, trade enquiries, interesting website links, daily forex rates, business publications available from the Chamber’s library, frequently asked questions about small business, human resources, HIV/Aids and general business, member to member marketing and details of other Chambers nationwide.
• Business Information Centre
A “one stop shop” for business information with a Reference Library containing a comprehensive collection of overseas and local trade directories, reference works, magazines, statistics, government publications and other business related books. As well as a limited desk top research service and provincial lists.
• Employee Assistance Programme
Minimise the cost to your business of absenteeism, low productivity, replacement labour, other effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and physical, sexual, alcohol, drug and emotional abuse by making use of this service, co-ordinated through the Durban Chamber Foundation.
• Human Resources Advice and Support
First line human resources and industrial relations advice. Documented information such as employment forms and policies are available on request.
• HIV/AIDS Advice and Support
A specialist support service to assist business to formulate an HIV/AIDS policy, and to provide support, advice, education and information on the effective management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. This service is co-ordinated and managed through the Durban Chamber Foundation- a section 21 company established by the Durban Chamber in order to facilitate funds received from the Global Fund for HIV/Aids roll-outs and programs for business.
• Member to Member Marketing Initiative
A one-off opportunity to include a brief editorial on your business in our fortnightly Chamber Digest and Chamber website.
• Membership Directory
All members receive one free copy of our Membership Directory with alphabetical and classified yellow pages listing. This is published annually.
• SMME Advice and Support
The SMME Desk aims to address the needs of emerging business through liaison with organisations that share the same objectives. We offer networking opportunities, SMME development programmes and functions, which include information on access to finance, the tendering and procurement processs as well as information on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and understanding the implementation on of the BEE scorecard.
• International Trade
Carnet de Commerce (letter of introduction), information on export procedures is available as well as contact with international Chambers, bilateral Chambers and SA trade representatives in foreign countries and foreign trade representatives in South Africa. Information on import and export regulations. Appointments made with members of visiting trade missions and foreign business visitors. The department also assists members to source local and international products and services. Trade leads are also publicised in the Chamber Digest.
• Chamber Digest
A fortnightly publication to update you on Chamber activities, the latest legislation and development in the business world, circulated to all members free of charge. Has a distribution of 5000 and a readership base of approximately 12 000.
• The Chamber’s many Business Committees and Forums – Your Voice of Business
The Chamber performs ‘the voice of business function’ by monitoring business legislation, channelling input from the private sector to Government, and by lobbying Government at all levels on issues of concern. Standing Committees on Economic Affairs (including Taxation and Environmental), Human Resources, Infrastructure, Trade and Investment, Safety and Justice and SMME as well as other matters provide the Chamber with the necessary lobbying strength which is required.
Take advantage of these invaluable committee opportunties and begin to benefit from contact with others in your field of expertise. The many other committees that are relevant to your business include: The Women in Business Forum, Tourism Commitee, Motion Picture Committee and the Fashion and Textile Committee.
Area Committees cater for the specific local needs of members in localised geographic areas of the Durban Unicity.
USER-PAY SERVICES
• Certificates of Origin
A comprehensive documentation service covering Certificates of Origin and other export documents. Forms available for ATA Carnets.
• Electronic Tender Services
Tenders for pre-selected products faxed or e-mailed to subscribers overnight - your business leads await your arrival at the office the next morning. A Tender Board for members not on e-mail or fax is available at the Chamber's premises.
• Advertising
Reach new markets with cost-effective advertising in the fortnightly Chamber Digest. Distribution +- 5 000 businesses with a readership of approximately 12 000.
• Mailing Lists for Business
Lists comprising the Chamber’s full membership of ± 3 500 members can be obtained either by business type, employee total, and area. Additional lists available include the KZN Head Offices List, the Importers or Exporters List and the Women in Business List and the HR list.
• Hire of Meeting Rooms
The Chamber’s world-class meeting rooms and presentation/workshop equipment are available for hire at affordable rates.
• Seminars and Workshops
The Chamber holds many seminars and workshops to assist you with issues relevant to business. These include workshops and presentations on HR/IR training; financial management; healthcare; access to finance in relation to SMME development and opportunties; education training and much, much more.
• Credit Reference Service
The Chamber provides online facilities with the country's largest credit bureau and is able to supply members with individual reports without the need to subscribe for the service on a monthly or annual basis. International and local reports on companies and individuals are also available.
• State Warehouse Returns
The State Warehouse Returns list all uncleared or unclaimed cargo that has been transferred to the State Warehouse in Durban Harbour and Durban International Airport. By receiving this list, you are able to trace and clear your missing cargo before it is auctioned. Notification of all auction sales is firstly communicated and made available to Durban Chamber subscribers before this information is made public via the various newspapers.
• Banner Advertising - Chamber website
Advertise on the Chamber’s website and attract both national and international business prospects. The Chamber receives over 30 000 hits per month from browsers with this figure growing daily!
• Additional Digest
Obtain a second or third copy of the Chamber Digest at a reasonable fee and allow various members of your staff to have the Digest close at hand for every day usage.
• Business Publications
The Chamber has several business publications for sale including importers and exporters manuals as well as copies of all the various Acts.
• Employee Benefits – Wellness Programme
The Chamber offers medical aid, pension fund, group provident fund, group life assurance, income security plan and funeral benefit fund for you and your employees.
• Functions/Networking
Use the many opportunities your Chamber provides to expand your pool of business contacts and promote your business by attending our networking functions. Networking is not only the latest ‘buzz’ word but a necessary tool to assist you in growing your business by making the appropriate contacts.
• Government Gazettes
Copies of Government Gazettes and Government Notices are available to members at a reasonable fee.
For more information on our FREE and USER PAY Business Services on offer
Don’t delay, contact your local Chamber today on 031 3351000
Or browse our website www.durbanchamber.co.za
