The ICC medals for the best business development programme by a local and national JCI chapter were awarded by ICC World Chambers Federation Director Anthony Parkes.

The diverse aray of competition entries focussed on areas such as international business cooperation and investment, business and trade development, partnerships (public and private sector, including business associations and chambers), executive training and development.

The medal for the best business development programme by a local chapter went to JCI France, Angouleme Cognac for their “Tandem for Success” project which emphasises the importance of the exchange of expertise and ideas between young entrepreneurs and experienced managers. The project runs an award scheme to recognize enterprise patronage programmes which encourage local business networking and offer support for new entrepreneurs. The JCI Angouleme Cognac chapter hopes their project will be extended to the national level in 2006.

The national chapter medal was given to JCI Dominican Republic for their  “Entrepreneurship Diplomat” project which aims to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises by offering entrepreneurs an 80-hour course on making business plans and starting a business.

ICC and JCI have a strong working partnership. They both share the objectives of advancing global economic progress and encouraging entrepreneurship and they both promote each others activities, and work together to develop joint projects of mutual interest to their members.

JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs whose mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills needed to generate positive changes in their communities, countries and the world. Its mission extends to include approximately 6,000 communities in more than 100 nations worldwide.