During Mr Mazumdar’s leadership, WCF has experienced great change and progress within ICC and the chamber community around the world. Activities such as the World Chambers Congress, the World Chambers Competition, the strengthening of the ATA Carnet system for duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods, the launching of the Certificate of Origin project, as well as the Transnational Chamber Forum, have brought the chamber of commerce community closer to WCF, and built WCF’s reputation as a fervent supporter of chamber development. 

In 1997, Mr Mazumdar, known to all as “Bobby”, became Chairman of WCF’s precursor, the International Bureau of Chambers of Commerce (IBCC). In 2000, he steered IBCC through the difficult process of changing its name to World Chambers Federation, as well as implementing its new bylaws. Before becoming IBCC Chairman, Mr Mazumdar had served as an IBCC Vice-Chair from 1993-1996 under the Chairmanship of Adnan Kassar. He has not only been active  in the chamber movement in India, but is also a former Chairman of ICC India .

Honouring the WCF Chairman, ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said: “For ICC, the WCF and its chamber network is an important pillar of our work and outreach, particularly through to the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) community. Bobby’s commitment and support to strengthening WCF has helped ICC in fulfilling its mission to the business community.”

Those who attended the 4^th World Chambers Congress in Durban, South Africa, earlier this year, will recall Mr Mazumdar introducing the South African President, Thabo Mbeki, as “President of Africa”. In a similar vein, Mr Mazumdar’s farewell saw him referred to as outgoing “Chairman of the World”, a term of endearment used by the President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prince Sifiso Zulu, at the Durban Congress closing ceremony.

In his final address as WCF Chairman, Mr Mazumdar thanked his fellow Vice-Chairs, whose terms also conclude at the end of December, Nancy Hughes Anthony (Canadian Chamber of Commerce); Peter Mihok (Slovak Chamber of Commerce & Industry); Rona Yircali (Balikesir Chamber of Industry) and Yong Sung Park (formerly Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry), for their assistance and support during his time as Chairman, as well as all the chambers of commerce within ICC WCF who helped build WCF to what it is today.

As a token of appreciation to “Bobby” and his time as WCF Chairman, chamber members have made arrangements to make a significant donation to his favourite charity, the Mother’s House of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.