Representatives from over 20 transnational and leading chambers of commerce came together last month to increase cooperation, strengthen ties and address some of the most pertinent issues for chambers of commerce today. Hosted by the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF), the meeting took place during the 6th World Chambers Congress in Kuala Lumpur and provided participants with a unique opportunity to exchange programmes, activities and opportunities for supporting their business constituency with their peers.
“Though each region and country of the world is unique, it is more important than ever to strengthen our ties in order to have a more effective chamber movement and to be able to confront the challenges we face,” said Chair of the World Chambers Federation Rona Yircali, who chaired the meeting.
Transnational chamber meetings hosted by WCF have been held annually since 2002. A transnational chamber of commerce is a group of chambers, representing chambers within a geographical region, economic grouping, cultural or language basis. They are established in most regions of the world.

At the recent meeting each participant provided an overview to the group on their chamber activities and current priorities, ranging from the current economic downturn to climate change.

“The European Union and the world are experiencing the worst crisis in decades, and it is very difficult to predict when and how strongly the economy will pick up again,” said Pierre Simon, President of EUROCHAMBRES. “However, if all chambers join forces and work on a coordinated strategy, exchanging best practices and ideas, it will be easier and faster for businesses to find the way back to growth. This is exactly what we were doing in Kuala Lumpur.”

During the information exchange, transnational chambers provided input into a number of practical tools they would like to see developed by WCF. These include: a book profiling transnational and selected national chambers; an online training and capacity building resource library; and an online registry of experts available to provide training.

Chambers and organizations represented at the meeting included American Chambers of Commerce Executives, the Association of Southern African Development Community Chambers of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Eurochambers, the Indian Ocean Chamber Group and the World Chambers Network.

“Given the ramifications of the current financial climate, doing business transnationally is particularly important,” said Bill Miller, Senior Vice President, National Political Director, US Chamber of Commerce.