Congress of Business and Economics

 
Our History
 
 
Initially called the TIC Business and Economics Group, the Congress of Business and Economics (CBE) was formed by the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) in the late 1980's as an activist business group. Within a short period of its inception, it was renamed and established as a separate business organisation. Being chaired by a prominent and successful businessperson in the community at the time, the late Mr. Setar Motani, the CBE enjoyed popular support within its constituency, who were organised into local business chapters.
 
Following the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 and the transforming business context, in 2006 the CBE ceased operations until December 2012 when former members of the CBE executive re-evaluated its closure. The context of this discussion was the global recession and debate on the National Development Plan, which had been recently released. In a follow-up discussion with former executive members, which was held at the Nana Memorial Hall in Johannesburg in January 2013, a decision was taken to re-establish the organisation.
 
A Steering Committee was formed immediately thereafter which subsequently constituted itself as a Board. Furthermore, the CBE established an office in Johannesburg on 2 April 2013 and on 20 April 2013, a strategic planning workshop of a cross section of 35 business leaders and professionals was held at Sunnyside hotel addressed by experts in the field. Feedback from a survey conducted at this meeting also unanimously endorsed the re-establishment of the organisation.
 
 
Our Vision
 

• To provide a forum for members to contribute to a changing economic climate.
• To arrange, organise and host networking seminars, training and research programmes.
• Develop a general awareness of all relevant issues including rendering of necessary advice.
• To assist in the building of contacts and interface with other sectors within the economic sphere, eg. Business organisations, trade unions and civic associations.
• To provide opportunities for economic empowerment.
• To lobby for appropriate policies which is enabling and supportive of entrepreneurship, in the changing economic environment.

 
Our Purpose
 
Empowering and developing businesses to contribute to the growth of South Africa
 
Our Philosophy
 

• Our value system:

• Fair and equitable business
• Environmentally responsible
• Socially responsible corporate citizen
• Being ethical

 

• Our organizational approach:

• Embrace world class performance standards
• Build principled, strategic and sustainable relationships with global partners

 

• Members:

• To provide a networking platform for businesses to grow and prosper

 

• Business

• Promote entrepreneurship and business excellence as a  vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development

 

• Government

• Engage government, through a non-partisan relationship to create an enabling and accountable environment for business to grow and prosper

 

• Donors

• Build a transparent and accountable partnership with donors

 
 

• The community

• Promote an active citizenry
• To cultivate philanthropy and volunteering

 
 

• Employees

• Fair, performance-driven, and equitable labour practices

 

• Our Services

• We will provide member-focused services

 
Our Commitment
We subscribe to the Citizen’s Charter
 
Our Affiliations and Partners
 
We will engage in strategic alliances for mutual benefit
 
 
Our Panel of Experts
 
1. Jayesh Nair MBA (former Development Associates International)
2. WaseemThokan (Economist at Legae Securities)
3. Dr Vimal Ichharam (PhD Chemistry and Consultant)
4. Tahir Sema (National Spokesperson for the Municipal Workers Union)
5. Urshekar Singh (Head of Corporate Legal Services: DBSA)
6. Mohamed Cajee (Former Washington Bureau Chief for Aljazeera)
7. Rehana Moosajee (Transformation Consultant and Motivational Speaker)
8. Nazeem Martin (CEO for Business Partners)
9. Rashid Chopdat (Training Specialist)
10. Haroun Pochee (Chartered Accountant, Entrepreneur and Roshgold Director)
11. Adv. Sury Pillay (Independent Policy Analyst, Lawyer and Consultant)
12. Haroon Kalla (Entrepreneur)
13. Dr Kamalluddien Parker (Entrepreneur)
14. Mr Satari Mohamed (Financial Planner)
15. Ebrahim Khalil Hassen (Public Policy Analyst)
16. Mr Krish Naidoo (attorney)
 
 
Our Board
 

• Nizam Kalla (President)
• Phiroshaw Camay (Deputy President)
• Jay Pema (Deputy President)
• Yusuf Moosajee (Secretary General)
• Akhtar Thokan (Treasurer)
• Ravi Govender

 
Please contact us at :
 
NPC Registration No. 2013 / 198849 / 08| Congress of Business & Economics ; next to No. 1, 6^th Avenue Mayfair 2092| [email protected]; www.cbeonline.co.za