– The 4th World Chambers Congress opened here today, bringing together more than 800 chamber of commerce executives and business leaders from 88 countries with the goal of strengthening business worldwide and promoting economic development, particularly in Africa.

The Congress is held every two years by the World Chambers Federation, a specialized division of the International Chamber of Commerce. It is the first time the event has been held in Africa.

With the G8 Summit scheduled to take place in two weeks, business leaders today stressed that business development on a massive scale must drive the emergence of a new, prosperous and successful Africa.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is hosting the G8 Summit in Scotland next month, has put helping Africa high on the Summit’s agenda.

During the opening ceremony of the Congress, ICC Chairman Yong Sung Park said: “ICC is well-known as a representative of business everywhere, and the chamber community provides a vital link to the network of small and medium-sized enterprises. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of all economies, in developed and developing countries alike. The future of the global economy depends on them.”

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sibusiso Ndebele, used his opening address at the Congress to stress the importance of the Congress to Africa and to the province of KwaZulu-Natal, where Durban is located. He also called on the business community to re-commit itself to the reconstruction and development of Africa in line with the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) objectives.

“We are fully aware that the opening up and expansion of international markets and increasing economic interdependence in the world present an opportunity for Africa, an opportunity to be part of the dynamic growth in global trade in goods and services and to be part of an investment community,” said Premier Ndebele. “This Congress has come at an opportune time because we need all the help we can get, in terms of investments, technology and commercial expertise, to make sure that our province and our region reaches its potential."

Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, also spoke at the Congress opening, reminding participants of the sharp contrast between today's post-apartheid business climate and that of just a few years ago.

"As we host conferences of this nature, we are reminded of the time when we were isolated from the rest of the world when investors and business had no contact with us -- which is all a thing of the past today," said Mr Mkhize. "This conference offers us an opportunity to create partnerships between governments, the private sector and communities as well as partnership between foreign investors and local business."

Some highlights of the three-day Congress include:

  • The World Chambers Competition

    The competition recognizes chamber initiatives that encourage the growth of business in local communities.

  • The launch of the first pan-African chamber of commerce on Wednesday.

    To date, 42 African countries have joined the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions.

For more information or to organize interviews with Congress participants, please contact:

In Durban:

Mary A. Kelly, Director of Communications, International Chamber of Commerce, +27 (0)8 2858 1039; Click here to send a mail .

Claire Kilvert, Communications Manager, International Chamber of Commerce, +27 (0)8 2858 3354; Click here to send a mail .

In Paris:

Dawn Chardonnal, Communications Manager, International Chamber of Commerce, +33 (0)1 49 53 29 07; Click here to send a mail .

World Chambers Congress website