Small business is the core of a nation’s economic wellbeing, growth and a prosperous global economy. Small business is also the heart and soul of a chamber’s membership. Learn more on some of the chamber’s small business projects that have fostered local economic development, created jobs, and opened up new business opportunities for the chamber’s SME member companies.
Choloma Chamber of Commerce and Industries – Financial support for Micro and Small businesses
The Choloma Chamber is the only Chamber that provides a microcredit service in Honduras. Despite the adverse conditions for which the Chamber has gone through, the service remains in force and is growing, it is measured by international standards applicable to the microfinance industry. It contributes to the development of many micro and small businesses, enabling improved quality of life for employees and their families. It also contributes significantly to the financial sustainability of the Chamber.
Full project description (PDF)
Lima Chamber of Commerce – Business hub and marketplace for small enterprises
After conducting an analysis, the Lima Chamber of Commerce found that the offer for business development services nationwide did not sufficiently supply small businesses. The Chamber therefore designed "e-camara.net: business hub and marketplace for small enterprises”, with a network of Chambers. The implementation of new services gradually developed (including free services) has been implemented in two phases between 2004 and 2010, with the aim of assisting and internationalizing small enterprises, supporting the SME sector, generating business opportunities, helping to generate new jobs, increasing the institution invoicing, and the number of volunteer partners.
Full project description (PDF)
Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Bicol business week
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 and seminars. 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 objectives 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.
Full project description (PDF)
National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile - Retail and small business crime prevention
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.
Full project description (PDF)
New South Wales Business Chamber – Business vitality check
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.
Full project description (PDF)