Switch Asia project on promoting sustainable production in the food and beverage sector in Sri Lanka - Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

The project aimed at promoting sustainable production among SMEs in the food and beverage sector in Sri Lanka was initiated in 2009 with the co-financing from the SWITCH Asia Program of the European Union. The overall objective of the programme was to improve the environmental performance of the food and beverage sector in Sri Lanka through the promotion of best practices of sustainable consumption and production among SMEs. For achieving this objective the following methodologies were adopted: increasing local capacity in sustainable consumption and production for effectively delivering services to local SMEs, assisting at least 500 SMEs in the food and beverage industry to adopt best practices in sustainable consumption and production and comply with international food safety regulations and standards and improving the enabling conditions for the successful implementation of sustainable consumption and production in Sri Lanka.

"CHAMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS" - Interchange platform of services and know how for SMEs - Chamber of Commerce of Lima

Among the effects and consequences that have generated centralism, what concerns us is the poor development of SMEs in the provinces, mainly for not being part of the supply chain of large companies in various sectors. Faced with this situation in 2002, the Chamber of Commerce of Lima decided to go through all the provinces of the country in search of creating a nationwide network of Chambers through a virtual platform and on-site transmission of know-how and services. Once put together, in 2004, the Nationwide Network of Chambers and the Chamber of Commerce of Lima created PERUCAMARAS and with it came the project “CHAMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS”.The concept of " CHAMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS” was based on getting the services offered by each chamber which forms the network, to be used by the members of any of the other Chambers when physically in another province and while at the same time the Chambers of that community could provide services to its members through the virtual platform created by the Chamber of Commerce of Lima.

Innovation in tourism: business development for SMEs - Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The project “innovation in tourism: business development for SMEs” planned, coordinated and co-financed by Fethiye CCI provided a unique, innovative and comprehensive framework for building the basis of a sustainable transformation process within the tourism sector in Fethiye, starting from the tourism SMEs. The project was designed to ultimately achieve; a change in the mind-set of the sector, a significant improvement in SMEs’ capabilities to adopt contemporary and effective business models and a significant progress regarding the emergence of an innovation-friendly environment throughout Fethiye. During the project, “innovation” was our guiding principle not only in regard to individual SME operations, but also for the project itself. Within this framework, the project marks the successful start of a new and innovative transformation process of the tourism sector of Fethiye.

The entrepreneur competition - iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism

The entrepreneur competition was initiated by the iLembe Chamber of Commerce with the purpose of providing entrepreneurs and small businesses with a platform and vehicle to move their business forward to a sustainable level of growth where they could be competitive in the local business arena.

The entrepreneur competition is aligned to the Chamber’s objectives in that it promotes and supports new and established local enterprises, it identifies and creates employment opportunities and promotes best practice in business. The joint venture has also enhanced public/private relationships and has used local resources and skills to maximise opportunities for business growth and development.

Obra negosyo eskwela countryside enterprise business upliftment - Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The obra negosyo eskwela countryside enterprise business upliftment (ONE CEBU) is a collaboration of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Provincial Government and participating universities and colleges in Cebu, Philippines. The project was first launched in 2009 and is now entering its 3rd season. ONE CEBU is a business support project that integrates growth and expansion interventions with a grant funding from the provincial government into small enterprises located in the countryside. The student teams, together with their MCCI mentors develop business plans which will detail how the enterprises will be assisted through the grant.Together with the entrepreneurs, the students implement and monitor their proposed business plans and in the process professionalize business procedures and introduce operational and marketing innovations.

This project fostered local economic development, created jobs, and improved sales and income among the beneficiaries.

Bicol business week - Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Bicol Business Week (BBW) is an annual business event organized by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with LGUs, government and non-government organization, academics and local chambers. BBW features trade shows/exhibits and fairs, conferences, trainings, seminars and fora. The goal of the BBW is to encourage new MSME undertakings, and allow existing MSMEs to expand/diversify and turn into highly productive firms. Specifically, the objective of the Bicol Business Week are to showcase and promote the best of Bicol businesses, provide new opportunities through business matching with exhibitors from other areas outside Bicol, to provide updates on new investment areas, technologies, and product trends, to enlighten firms on environment protection programs and the prospects in green investments and to offer insights on prominent Bicolano businessmen's success secrets.

3P: people, partnership and profit - Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In 2010-2011, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry implemented the project “Improve Income-Generating Opportunities and Livelihood of Rural Populations”. This component of the project covered both minority and majority Mongolian populations in 8 soums (territorial administrative unit) of Khovd and Uvs aimags (provinces), where most ethnic minority people live. Its goal was to improve income-generating opportunities and develop livelihood of rural populations in the target aimags.

The outcomes of the project were the following: 31 business and vocational trainings were conducted with total 500 participants; 12 new co-operatives were established; in total 56 micro and small projects implemented covering 145 people; 11 handouts and brochures, 8 SME sample projects were developed.

Retail and small business crime prevention - National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile

Considering that almost 80% of Chile's companies are SME's and of the importance that small and local neighborhood businesses have in supporting and fostering the economic prospects of a family and of the whole community in which they operate, the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile has consider a priority to develop and implement different strategies to support the prevention of crime, assaults, violence and other types of actions that endanger and damage these businesses.

Business vitality check - NSW Business Chamber

Following a member needs research project in 2008, NSW Business Chamber (NSWBC) created Australia’s most comprehensive online business health check called Business Vitality Check (BVC). BVC is a web based diagnostic tool that fosters small business growth by improving capability, productivity and profitability. Following completion, a small business owner receives a comprehensive 140 page ‘Recommendations Report’ written by NSWBC experts, complete with industry benchmarks, on how to improve and prioritise immediate areas for action. NSWBC members currently receive BVC as a membership entitlement and BVC has been rebranded for use by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Telstra Corporation (Australia’s largest telecommunications provider). Over 2,950 Australian small businesses have completed our diagnostic tool enabling NSWBC to influence the growth of small business across the country.

Rabat CECOGEC - Rabat Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services

In most developing countries, there is a link between the informal sector and very small businesses (VSBs). It is not acceptable today that many small and medium businesses (SMB) continue to operate in anonymity, without apparent structures. Specialists and some Moroccan companies noted that it’s very difficult to develop business without transparency accounting. However for financial reasons or lack of information, many SMB do not use expert’s services for their accounting, which compromises their dynamism and their business. "The informal sector" remains an important challenge in Morocco and others country. To reduce this scourge and to respond in the most effective and efficient manner to all the concerns and aims of all concerned parties, the Center of Management of Approved Accounting (RABAT CECOGEC) in Rabat Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (Rabat CCIS) becomes a necessity, specifically for the very small enterprises and even tax administration.

Business mentoring Scotland - Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Business Mentoring Scotland is a long term project led by Scottish Chambers of Commerce. Business Mentoring Scotland matches experienced mentors to existing business leaders who are looking to grow and develop their firms.

Partnership sustaining business project - South Dublin Chamber

The Sustaining Business Project is a positive response to supporting SMEs and the local economy. It is exceptional as it assists employment creation and retention by uniting the Chamber of Commerce and local government in a new partnership arrangement. This programme provides a wide range of services and resources to small business in an easily accessible format without undue bureaucracy. The key to its success is that it also provides one to one support rather than approaching the current situation from a “fix it now perspective”. Business sustainability will be the key to economic recovery through creating more jobs and creating new business opportunities. This project is replicable in both public and private law Chambers, it differs from others in both its composition and its focus on sustainability.