World Chambers Federation spans the globe
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| WCF Chairman Avijit Mazumdar: "We have an ambitious agenda." |
Paris, 24 July 2001 - A close-knit chambers of commerce movement spanning the world at the service of chamber members everywhere is rapidly becoming reality.
The high point of the World Chambers Congress in Seoul last month was the creation of the World Chambers Federation (WCF), whose articles give all chambers the opportunity to have their say in deciding what its tasks should be.
WCF takes over from the International Bureau of Chambers of Commerce (IBCC). Like its predecessor, WCF is a specialized division of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization.
Avijit Mazumdar, the Indian business leader who headed IBCC and now chairs WCF, commented: "This is more than a name-change. We have created a much more representative body, with an ambitious agenda to provide more extensive global support services for chambers. We also wanted to choose a name that clearly distinguishes the new body as the arm of ICC that is exclusively concerned with chambers of commerce. "
Nominations to the steering committee of WCF, a key body that will establish strategic priorities and projects, must be in before the end of the year. Chambers will have the opportunity to compete by ballot for 20 vacant positions on the 35-member committee, a further 10 positions will be filled by secondment, and the remaining five are occupied by the chair and four vice-chairs from Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Slovakia.
WCF is already investigating a range of new global services designed to support chambers in their daily activities. They include export documentation, electronic commerce, training and connectivity enhancement.
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font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Membership of WCF is drawn from all countries, from all types of chambers at transnational, national, regional and local levels.
WCF's articles:
· To encourage cooperation between chambers of commerce throughout the world
· To provide a forum where leaders of chambers can communicate with each other and collaborate on matters of mutual interest, whether in solving problems, or realizing opportunities
· To promote the concept of chambers of commerce as essential intermediaries between business and government, and between business and the general public
· To facilitate the role of chambers as local business support agencies
· To promote collaboration between chambers so as to extend the range and improve the effectiveness of the services that chambers provide
· To ensure the administration of the international customs guarantee chain set up for the operation of the ATA Carnet system
· To assist in the establishment or strengthening of existing chambers, particularly from emerging economies.
Two activities central to WCF are:
· The World Chambers Congress
Held every two years in different regions of the world. The congress creates the personal networks that chamber executives worldwide need to exchange expertise and experience. This sharing of knowledge on a permanent basis is the core objective of the Congress. Over 800 chamber participants from 85 countries attended the Second World Chambers Congress in Seoul. The Third World Chambers Congress will be in Quebec, 16-18 September, 2003.
· The World Chambers Network (www.worldchambers.com).
WCN links over 10 000 chambers of commerce online. Managed by WCF, it is the only global Internet platform designed and operated by chambers for chambers. The WCN site exchanges chamber "best practices" and facilitates communication between them. In addition, the site provides an international business opportunity service for chambers to promote their SME members worldwide.