Congress Report Istanbul, Turkey 4-6 July 2007 Introduction 1
Congress participants arrive at the Ciragan Palace for a Turkish banquet following a cruise on the Bosphorus.
Making connections, building networks
The 5th World Chambers Congress Istanbul, 4 - 6 July 2007
Small enterprises are in the ascendant on the global The Congress is the most important event on the stage, due to quantum leaps in communications chamber calendar for executives to make new technology and as more countries open their connections – human and intellectual – and to markets to investment at all levels. But in order for discuss the pressing issues facing globalization these firms to take full advantage of the myriad in casual and informative settings. A packed opportunities the global economy now offers, agenda of plenaries and workshops made the they must stay abreast of a dizzying array of fast- 5th World Chambers Congress a virtual showroom changing developments in trade, technology and for chamber excellence. many other matters. From the opening address by Turkish Prime Minister It is no surprise, therefore, that a record 1,600 Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the closing dinner and chamber of commerce executives hailing from unveiling of the winners of the much-acclaimed more than 118 countries assembled at the World Chambers Competition, the 5th World 5th World Chambers Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, Chambers Congress further enhanced the biennial from 4-6 July 2007, to learn and share the latest and event’s stature as a meeting where business leaders best business practices. shape the global agenda for years to come.
2 Opening session
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened the 5th World Chambers Congress.
Congress opens with Erdogan’s call for stability
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened and medium-sized enterprises around the world. the 5th World Chambers Congress with a rousing These companies are the lifeblood of all economies, in call for international cooperation to ensure that peace developed and developing countries alike.” and stability and humanitarian values are upheld, the necessary underpinnings for development in Turkey Prince Sifiso Zulu, Past President of the Durban and the rest of the world. Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Africa, and co-host of the 4th World Chambers Congress Speaking to delegates two weeks before national in 2005, took the stage to pass the leadership of the parliamentary elections and just days after a new round Congress to Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Union Rona Yircali of talks began on Turkey’s accession to the European of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Union, Mr Erdogan underscored the link between (TOBB). humanitarian values and development. Mr Hisarciklioglu urged participants to “use this “Commercial activities are not just the free circulation Congress as an opportunity to meet reliable of goods and services but also the exchange of entrepreneurs and reliable commercial partners from “We are the civilizations. It is important to add humanitarian values, different parts of the world during these three days.” and bringing people together for the welfare of nations,” backbone of he said. Mr Hisarciklioglu added that the country is “constantly improving” and is now the sixth commercial partner of the chamber Rona Yircali, Chair of the ICC World Chambers the European Union. Federation, underscored WCF’s commitment to driving community, the growth of chambers around the world. “We are The First Deputy Mayor of Istanbul, Ahmet Selamet, the backbone of the chamber community, providing was also on hand to welcome the delegates to providing support and facilitating exchange among our members Istanbul. and beyond,” Mr Yircali told attendees during the opening session of the Congress. support and Official opening of the exhibition area facilitating ICC Chairman Marcus Wallenberg pointed out the historical role ICC has played in fostering stability and exchange prosperity. “ICC was founded by a handful The exhibition area among our of business people at the Congress was who set out to promote opened with a ribbon- members and trade and investment cutting ceremony. across borders as a beyond.” way of promoting global prosperity and peace,” Rona Yircali he said. Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation He reminded chambers of their crucial role in this process: “The chamber community is a vital link to the network of small Opening plenary 3
Managing global risks
At the opening session of the 5th World Chambers Recalling the Asian Congress, participants discussed the importance financial crisis a little over of partnerships between government and business a decade ago, Yong as the way forward for continued prosperity and Poh Kon, President economic development. of the Federation of Madeleine Albright Malaysian Manufactures and Managing Director of During her keynote address, Madeleine Albright, Royal Selangor, reminded the audience to question “We need Principal of the Albright Group LLC and former the role of hedge funds, which he said accounted US Secretary of State, emphasized the need for for between $1.2 trillion and $1.7 trillion in capital leaders who society to create “partnerships for prosperity” in three investment. areas: between governments and the private sector, will manage within the business community, and between the Executive Director of the Business Humanitarian private sector and the public. Such partnerships will Forum John King asserted that thanks to the realities help business and society respond effectively to the globalization, companies were able to assess the challenges of war, disease, terrorism, climate change risks in each region better than they could in the of the risks and natural disasters, she said. past. To avert a financial crisis today, Mr King said, more interaction between international financial – whether in “The modern world is growing closer while at the institutions was necessary. same time splitting apart,” Ms Albright said. “The business or in relationships between modern technology and Nils Furunes, Group Corporate Economist of DnB cultural traditions, between government and religion, NOR Bank in Norway, reasoned that even though the government – between national sovereignty and globalization, and financial sector has grown significantly, posing new between the individual and society affect us all, no problems and introducing new players, inefficiencies to minimize the matter which country we come from.” can be discovered more rapidly. dangers and Guillermo de la Dehesa, Non-Executive Chairman of Overall, panellists were in widespread agreement Goldman Sachs Europe, argued that globalization that greater cooperation nationally and internationally maximize the was leading to greater income disparities within and was necessary between government and business among nations, while hedge funds were becoming to harness the opportunities and address the opportunities.” major players that pose a new risk to global financial challenges brought on by globalization. stability. The private sector way of doing business Madeleine Albright has changed, and now benefits from imbalances in “We need leaders who will manage the realities of Principal of the Albright equity markets. Growing global imbalances in equity the risks – whether in business or in government Group LLC and former markets, and fallout from a lack of agreement in the – to minimize the dangers and maximize the US Secretary of State Doha round of global trade negotiations, were two opportunities. We need leaders who look beyond the more risks to the continued growth and stability of next cycle of elections,” Ms Albright said. the world economy, he said.
Participants discussed the importance of partnerships between government and business. 4 Plenary session
Securing future energy supplies
Because business plays a central role in discovering, said that closer business-government dialogue was producing, delivering and using energy, it must play essential. “We should clearly define our actions, a central role in securing future energy supplies, and governments should establish an open policy was the central message of the energy plenary. and the necessary incentives. Cooperation between Business is a key partner in the search for solutions government and the private sector is a must,” he for better accessibility, security and sustainability of said. future energy supplies. It must work closely with governments to meet the rising demand for energy Underlining the need to accelerate the development from economic growth while lowering the threat from of renewable energy, Arthourous Zervas, President Carlos Bulgheroni climate change. Governments must develop policies of the EU Renewable Energy Council, cautioned that encourage countries to find an optimum energy that while technology to produce clean energy was mix while simultaneously meeting environmental developing fast, “it is developing in a few countries, challenges. not everywhere.” International energy organizations must focus on the renewable energy sector to Rahmi Koc, Honorary Chairman of Koc Holdings in accelerate its development, he added. Turkey, noted the gap was widening between energy demand and supply. “The global economy is growing Climate change has been a major topic of the last steadily. High liquidity and low interest rates are three G8 summits, and in order for the G8 climate increasing the demand for energy ... while demand convention currently being drafted to be effective, Mehmet Ali Neyzi is increasing supply is decreasing, forcing up prices,” China and South Africa should be contracting parties he said. to it, said Stephan Singer, Head of Climate Change Policy for the World Wildlife Fund in Brussels. Distance also played a role in pushing up prices, added Vladimir B. Isakov, Vice President of the In order for small businesses to do their part in Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian reducing emissions without incurring heavy costs, Federation. “New resources are hard to reach, so Mr Singer added that market-focused policies this also increases costs, and if costs rise there is a were the best way to determine the energy mix of direct effect on energy prices,” he said. tomorrow.
Pedro Antonio Marino Garcia Carlos Bulgheroni, Chairman of Bridas Corporation in Argentina, said the world has enough oil reserves for the next 100 years, so current high prices may be due to other issues such as geopolitical tensions.
The way forward for companies was to Rahmi Koc was the assess the level of keynote speaker for energy reserves, factor the plenary. in high energy prices, Stephan Singer and then moderate energy consumption and make room for new technologies, said Pedro Antonio Marino Garcia, Chief Economist and Director of the Economic Research Department of Repsol YPF, Spain. To access remote reserves, Vladimir B. Isakov “governments must promote more global understanding,” he added.
Mehmet Ali Neyzi, General Manager, Aygaz, Turkey, and Board Member of the World LPG Association, Plenary session 5
Ridding the world of poverty
Addressing a standing-room-only house, MuhammadCaption of about Yunus 5 to 15 Muhammad Yunus, inventor of microcredit and challengedwords or more the should 5 to winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, told the business15 words not community be enough. toThe help boxes eradicate can of course audience that global poverty could be eradicated globalbe extended. poverty. easily and challenged the business community to play a vital role by creating “social businesses,” with the principal aim of achieving a social good.
Mr Yunus and the Grameen Bank he founded have improved the lives of over 7 million impoverished Bangladeshis by supplying them with small loans to start businesses. His successful microcredit programme, which has earned him the title of “banker to the poor,” has become a model for 175 countries around the world.
“All human beings have entrepreneurial instincts, even the very poor,” Mr Yunus said. “We need to create a society that gives everyone the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial abilities.” To demonstrate this, he described a project he started in Bangladesh that turned beggars into door-to- door salesmen by providing them with small loans to purchase useful products that they could sell, instead of asking for handouts.
Mr Yunus also cited the example of French Speaking at the press conference following the multinational food company Danone as a firm that plenary, ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said Mr has created a product to help alleviate poverty. Yunus’s efforts were exemplary in that they showed After he proposed to the CEO of Danone that how business can play a major role in ridding the the company produce a lower-priced brand of world of poverty: “ICC has been promoting trade yogurt rich in vitamins for malnourished children in and entrepreneurship as ways to improve the lives Bangladesh, the company set up a local factory to of people around the world since it was founded in do just that, which has been a great success. 1919. Mr Yunus’s initiative is a concrete example of how business can help reduce poverty and his views Avijit Mazumdar, Hononary Chair, ICC World will contribute greatly to our Congress,” Mr Sebban Chambers Federation, introduced Mr Yunus and said. Rona Yircali thanked Mr Yunus for his participation in the Congress. Mr Yunus received a standing ovation at the end of the plenary session. Rona Yircali
Avijit Mazumdar 6 Plenary session
Chambers and migration “Migration Almost one-third of the world’s population has been “The focus today is on temporary migration, where on the move, as migrants have sought employment a flexible global market for labour is developing,” helps elsewhere. And while migration was an engine said Brunson McKinley, Director General of the of change powering development, it also had a International Organization for Migration. “There companies downside, draining some developing countries of is an international competition for skilled labour,” skilled labour, and leading to increases in youth he added. Mr McKinley also stressed that some and countries unemployment in some developed countries, countries were conservative by nature and did not to be panellists agreed. want to face this change. “Migration helps companies and countries to be Lorenzo Ysasi Martínez, President of the National competitive.” competitive,” said David Frost, Director General Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City, which had of the British Chambers of Commerce. Making witnessed large flows of immigration and emigration, David Frost migration work for business should fall within the warned that attempts to curb illegal immigration Director General of the domain of chambers. “Migration is relentless, must follow international rules. “In a world with safety British Chambers of and as chambers we have a responsibility to help concerns, migration is becoming more difficult. Commerce businesses benefit,” he said. Combating illegal immigration is important, but you should also respect the rights of these people,” he Saroj Kumar Poddar, Chairman of Poddar Heritage said. Enterprises in India, offered a solution to matching workers with jobs: “There must be a link between Matthias Lücke, Senior Economist of the Kiel business and academic institutions. It is important Institute for the World Economy in Germany, advised not only to train people but also to make sure they developing countries that offering language courses are employable,” he said. and raising wage levels could help retain skilled workers.
Panellists discussed the effects of migration on economies.
Matthias Lucke Saroj Kumar Poddar
Brunson McKinley Lorenzo Ysasi Martinez
David Frost Plenary session 7
Partnerships for prosperity – supporting SME development
Chambers of commerce The unique challenges in less developed and facing chambers in developing countries less developed and developing countries face unique challenges. were discussed. The development community has increasingly recognized that the private sector is central to the lives of the poor and has the power to make lives better by providing jobs and satisfying basic needs, panellists agreed.
Louise Kantrow, ICC Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, opened the plenary by emphasizing the dynamic force of the private sector in fostering development in these countries. Zeroing in on low-income populations, Ms Kantrow highlighted the Gumbi, CEO of Gumbi Global and Head of the market-based approach to poverty reduction as an SMME Committee, Durban Chamber of Commerce alternative to traditional methods. The market-based and Industry, South Africa. Mr Gumbi called upon approach focuses on how developing regions can all chambers to take stronger action and to make see themselves as consumers and producers. themselves more effective.
Shahbaz Mavaddat, Director of the Southern Yolanda Talavera Urroz, Project Coordinator at Europe & Central Asia (SECA) Department of the COSEP Superior Council for Private Enterprise, International Finance Corporation in Washington, Nicaragua, outlined the business agenda that DC, said: “Our institution recognizes the crucial role Nicaragua was implementing to encourage SME Louise Kantrow the SMEs play in economic growth and job creation.” development. Assistance for SMEs included help Mr Mavaddat cautioned, however, that while with business proposals as well as their execution. private capital had been flowing into the area and The objectives of the agenda included: increasing aiding economic growth, a more business-friendly private sector productivity and overall economic environment needed to be created by removing development; promoting internal commercial barriers to commerce. integration; corporate social responsibility, and the market economy; and increasing government Teferi Asfaw, Secretary General, Addis Ababa support of private sector efforts. Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, Kwanele Gumbi and presented examples of how public-private John Sullivan, Executive Director, Center for John Sullivan partnerships, business and the government were International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate working together to break down the barriers against of the US Chamber of Commerce, recognized the business development in the region. importance of developing countries’ economies and of moving from top-down polices to bottom- The primary objective of the South Asian Association up ones. “The markets of the future are in the for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of developing world. We all have to be concerned in Commerce and Industry is to enhance regional this global economy,” he said. economic cooperation in Asia. Waqar Ahmad, Director of SAARC, Islamabad, discussed how developing SMEs can provide a major source of employment and a vector for growth in the region.
“SME development is at the cornerstone of what we do as international chambers,” said Kwanele 8 Plenary session
Threats to multilateralism
The multilateral trading system offered myriad they’re most likely to be dealt with in a multilateral benefits to business and society, but it had been environment,” he said. undermined lately by the lack of progress in the Doha Development Agenda. The best way to strengthen Multilateral agreements were also an important driver the multilateral system was to reach agreement on of national economic reform, said R.V. Kanoria, the Doha round of multilateral trade talks, experts Chairman and Managing Director of Kanoria agreed in this plenary session. Chemicals and Industries Ltd. “Multilateralism has had immense influence on domestic policy change, ICC Vice Chairman Victor Fung, Chairman of the Li and India is an example of this,” he said. Marcus Wallenberg & Fung Group of companies, said the world should remember that a multilateral trading system was the Pierre Simon, President of Eurochambres and best way known to deliver continued prosperity and President of the Paris Chamber of Commerce global economic growth. “The multilateral trading and Industry, also noted that small and medium- system was something tried that delivered significant sized enterprises could stand to gain the most benefits,” he said. from advances in multilateral trade. “Multilateralism may be more important for SMEs than for large Two of the key issues to be resolved in the Doha companies – since multiple trade rules are a bigger round were agriculture and market access for barrier for SMEs,” he said. industrial products. If the round was allowed to fail, Pierre Simon the impact would be far-reaching, panellists agreed. Ahmet Bozer, President of Eurasia Group, Coca- Cola, cautioned against the current trend toward Ambassador and Permanent Representative of bilateral agreements amid a series of setbacks in Canada to the Office of the United Nations and to the Doha trade talks. “Bilateral agreements may the World Trade Organization, Donald Stephenson, seem beneficial, but in the long run they will be a signalled that the Doha round was the best forum hindrance,” he said. for bridging differences between developed and developing countries. “There is an imbalance between developed and developing markets – but
Victor Fung
Panellists discussed the Doha round of world trade negotiations.
Chambers governments, especially translate the long- world media, stressed “We live in a global appeal for those of the biggest standing promise of that considerable economy. Trade across trading nations, to Doha into far-reaching progress had already borders is an issue Doha trade muster the political will new trade opportunities been made, which close to the heart of all deal to make the necessary and the prospect of would be lost if the businesses, no matter concessions and reach higher living standards talks were permitted how large or small. The agreement in the Doha throughout the world. to fail. It also registered desire for a rules-based Leaders from among round of world trade Time is running out, deep concern that multilateral trading the 12,000-strong negotiations. but the prize is within failure would stoke system is common global network reach,” ICC Chairman protectionism and to companies in all of chambers of “Governments Marcus Wallenberg erode respect for sectors, of all sizes, commerce issued a must seize a last said. the World Trade and in all corners of the press statement at the opportunity to forge Organization and globe,” Mr Wallenberg 5th World Chambers a comprehensive The statement, which other multilateral trade said in the statement. Congress calling upon agreement that will was picked up by the institutions. Workshops 9
National chambers of commerce
Local chambers of commerce must find ways of Alencar Butri, President of The Confederation of remaining relevant to their company members, while Brazilian Commercial and Business Associations national chamber organizations need to support local (CACB), one of the largest federations of business chambers as well as member companies, panellists organizations, with 27 state groups and more than agreed in this workshop. 2 000 commercial associations, said that Brazilian chambers had a vital role to play in mobilizing In a session which brought together national business to voice its opposition against government chambers from countries with the largest number decisions when necessary. CACB represents the of local chambers, Peter Mihok, Vice President diverse interests of Brazil’s 2 million entrepreneurs. of Eurochambres and Chairman of the Slovak Alencar Butri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized Hariadi Saptadji, Executive Director of the Indonesian the symbiotic relationship between local and national Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), chambers in performing their roles effectively. explained how national chambers had become more influential in policy making at the government When a national chamber is working with a local level. But he added that there was still room to raise chamber or a member company, forging close ties the standard of services. Kadin Indonesia, one of with these groups is a high priority. “Everything is the largest national chambers in the Asia/Pacific based on relationships,” said Win Hallett, Chairman region, serving 32 provincial chambers and 422 of the US Chamber of Commerce Committee of branches, had developed remarkably over the last 100; ex-officio member of the board of directors of few years through an extensive strategic revision of Hariadi Saptadji the American Chamber of Commerce Executives its mission and activities. In order to fulfill its mission (ACCE); and President of the Mobile Area Chamber to serve entrepreneurs and businesses, Kadin said of Commerce, United States. it was essential to strengthen its own organizational capacity. Beatrice Booth, President of Commerce Queensland and Inaugural President of Australian Chambers Ali Coskun, Minister of Industry and Trade, Alliance, underlined that national and local chambers Turkey, and past President of TOBB, stressed the needed to deepen their working relationship, which importance of technology in building relationships had mutually beneficial effects and was a way to between national chambers, local chambers stave off the competition from other associations. and their company members. “Benefiting from The Australian Chambers Alliance was recently the tools of modern technologies to further the created, with the support of Australian Chamber communication between chambers is vital,” said of Commerce and Industry, to assist the state Mr Coskun. chambers in tendering for contracts.
With the pressures of an extensive and competitive chamber and industry association network across India, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), one of India’s three national chamber bodies, “resurrected” its Panellists looked at organization following a the different roles time of crisis. Mahendra of local and national Sanghi, Alternate chambers. President of Assocham, highlighted membership drives as a crucial life-support system for national chambers in India, which faced financial, image and membership difficulties. “Membership of chambers, just like any other product, needs marketing,” Mr Sangi said. 10 Workshops
Public law chambers
“There is a lot of discussion about the advantages Tradition and social values help determine the “Chambers can and disadvantages of voluntary and compulsory chamber system of a country, said Mohamed membership systems. Chambers can be successful El-Masry, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian be successful under both,” said László Parragh, Chairman of the Chambers of Commerce. Egypt has a long tradition Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, of public law chambers. “Developing countries need whether based which abolished compulsory membership in 2000. a public law system,” he said. on voluntary Ralf Meier, Head of Programme Management, Teo Tat Khai, Deputy Executive Director of the SEQUA, a partner of German business, pointed Singapore Business Federation (SBF), described or mandatory out that good management was a more important the unique workings of the Singapore membership ingredient than legal status for highly effective system since the setup of SBF in 2001. Dating membership. The chambers. “Leadership commitment and back to 1837, chambers and other business attractive services are more important for chamber groups operated under voluntary membership. But biggest challenge development than legislation,” he said. with the creation of SBF, corporate membership became compulsory. Companies in Singapore remains how In the European Union, 15 countries had public can nonetheless become voluntary members of law systems, so 95.6% of European business chambers of commerce and trade associations. to find ways to representation was directly related to the system of public law chambers, said Fernando Gómez Avilés- support SMEs.” Casco, Director of the High Council of Chambers of Commerce in Spain. László Parragh Chairman, Hungarian Chamber Due to their role in registering companies in the of Commerce and Industry Netherlands, chambers there represented 1.1 million companies. Frans Van Steenis, Managing Director, Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, said a revision of the law under way will consolidate the system to 12 chambers from 21.
Andrej Friedl, Advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS), said switching from mandatory to voluntary membership in November 2006 was a positive change for their chamber, but added that a public law chamber system was still a viable option for Frans Van Steenis Teo Tat Khai Slovenia.
He said there was a weakness in the country’s new law: the lack of any provision for an “umbrella chamber association.” As a result, any chamber in Slovenia, regional or sectoral, small or large, could be set up with no obligation to join a chamber association or CCIS, Friedl said.
Fernando Gómez Avilés-Casco Andrej Friedl
The merits of both public and private law chambers were discussed. Workshops 11
World-class cities
The image of a city is synonymous with its ability to to the task. “I see chambers as the primary drivers of attract tourism, trade and investment, and top talent. change. You cannot serve the needs of the city if you Chambers of commerce are at the heart of efforts don’t have skilled labour,” said Kevin MacDonald, to enhance the global business reputation of their CEO of the New South Wales Business Chamber. metropolises. Mumbai boasts the largest movie industry in the In his introductory remarks at this workshop, world, known as “Bollywood”. Yogendra Kumar Murat Yalcintas, President of the Istanbul Chamber Modi, Past President of the Federation of Indian of Commerce, said cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, showcased government, The Union of Chambers and FICCI’s Frames event, which had rapidly become Gary Toebben Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and the one of the biggest global entertainment conventions Istanbul Chamber of Commerce had made the in Asia. Turkish Formula One Grand Prix a fixture on the world racing calendar and had given Istanbul world- Thailand was not only a key destination for wide exposure. tourism, but an important business and conference destination, said Patchrintanakul Pornsil, Vice Teferi Asfaw from the Addis Ababa Chamber of President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Commerce and Sectoral Associations in Ethiopia Bangkok had become the centre of the Thai highlighted the partnership between the chamber business community, he added. and Swedish International Cooperation Development Maria Fernanda Campo Agency to create the Private Sector Development With a population made up of 41% migrants, Hub. This project has helped the chamber 160 different nationalities and over 220 languages, modernize and strengthen the entrepreneurial Los Angeles was a unique, world-class city, said environment in Addis Ababa, he said. It has Gary Toebben, President and CEO of the Los also helped reinforce the chamber’s legitimate Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He also role in representing the private sector in national emphasized how the chamber protected the dialogue on economic development – an important business community and often “saved” Los Angeles achievement for a chamber in a developing country, from unfair regulations. he added. The session sponsor, the Dubai Chamber of Teferi Asfaw Maria Fernanda Campo, President of the Bogota Commerce and Industry, featured “1 000 Reasons to Chamber of Commerce, explained how the Do Business” with this world-class city. chamber’s leading role in the Competitive Regional Council (networking 1 800 public and private organizations) as well as in the Investment Chambers from around the Promotion Agency, world were represented on had helped promote the panel. Bogota as an attractive city in which to invest and start a business. The chamber helped simplify the process of starting up a company by reducing the number of procedures and agencies.
Following the success of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the city became complacent and its chamber saw the need to maintain local competitiveness and renew local economic activity. Skills development was central 12 Workshops
Empowering women in business
Guljan Zmarai discussed AWBF’s efforts in Afghanistan.
Selima Ahmad
Sophia Economacos
In the last decade, recognition of the expanding fair opportunities to women’s business associations role women play in the local economy has grown and women entrepreneurs through its Afghanistan enormously. Around the world, chambers are Women’s Trade Development Center. AWBF created launching initiatives to raise awareness of the “AfghanMark,” a new trademark which means Tran Thi Thuy growing presence of women in business, especially “Created by Afghan women.” as entrepreneurs. Participants in this workshop noted that this trend was particularily pronounced in Established in 2001, the Bangladesh Women the developing world. Chamber of Commerce furnishes services to women entrepreneurs, such as counselling, market Maggie Kigozi, Executive Director of the access, advocacy and training, said Selima Ahmad, Uganda Investment Authority, outlined the Executive Director. With six chapters across the following recommendations from the recent 8th country, membership had grown rapidly from the Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting: traditional sectors – fashion, handicrafts and food – encourage governments to promote more women- to non-traditional ones, such as IT and media. owned enterprises by opening a credit reference bureau to track the solid credit rating of women; “Women have different work styles – they are update legislation to support women’s access creative, they have strong beliefs, and they are to finance and train banking staff on gender patient,” said Sophia Economacos, President of issues; simplify business registration; and reduce the Eurochambres Women’s Network, launched administrative barriers. in 2003. EWN initiatives at the local level included enhancing equal opportunity in the economy and Hossain Khaled, President of the Dhaka Chamber raising the visibility of women in business and within of Commerce and Industry, said the chamber had the chamber movement. developed an independent permanent standing committee, Women Entrepreneurship Development, In Vietnam, where the population was 51% female with support from the Center for International Private and more than 20% of companies were led by Enterprise (CIPE). women, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) established the Women In Afghanistan, a country rebuilding after decades Entrepreneurship Council to cultivate the large of conflict, the Afghan Women’s Business potential membership, said Tran Thi Thuy, the Federation had already attracted 50 members, Council’s Chairwoman and VCCI Vice President. Ms said Guljan Zmarai, Chairwoman of AWBF. In Tran highlighted some of the VCCI’s programmes, coordination with NGOs and international agencies, including “The Golden Rose Cup” award honouring the AWBF provides technical assistance and trade outstanding female business leaders. Workshops 13
7 measures of success
7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable must be multi-disciplined Anne Blouin Associations Do That Others Don’t is a study and adaptable,” said conducted by the American Society of Association Prema Cooray, Secretary Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association General of the Ceylon Leadership and released in 2006. The four-year Chamber of Commerce. research project analyzed 15 years of data from not- for-profit organizations. Participants agreed that to be highly successful, The study was led by Anne Blouin, ASAE Chief chambers must put Learning Officer, and identified these seven traits: in place the following ■■ Customer service culture measures: ■■ Alignment of products and services to mission ■■ Create smaller ■■ Data-driven strategies boards through a ■■ Dialogue and engagement democratic selection ■■ CEO as a broker of ideas process ■■ Organizational adaptability ■■ Select a CEO with ■■ Alliance building an association or chamber background “These seven measures of success work together,” ■■ Hold reserves Ms Blouin said. Business associations, like equalling 50% of chambers, learn to stay ahead by following the best annual revenues practices of their peers. Examining how this study ■■ Clarify chamber related to the chamber community, two chambers missions through from two countries gave their views, which elicited transparency lively audience participation. and effective communication Strategic planning and its regular assessment were ■■ Adapt to change without altering the mission identified as key elements of top-notch chambers. ■■ Appoint young members to the board “Many companies have strategic plans because ■■ Limit board membership to six years the world is changing fast,” said Lars Legernes, Managing Director of the Oslo Chamber of Ms Blouin ended the session with this advice: “A Commerce. remarkable association is full of disciplined people engaged throughout.” Panellists singled out the new role a CEO must play as crucial to chamber excellence. “A chamber CEO
Customer service
For any membership-based organization, including “good” and noted the importance of technology to chambers of commerce, the most important clients collect and analyze data. are its members. Strategic planning and implementation guaranteed Satisfied clients are loyal, and in a competitive success, and customer satisfaction surveys were marketplace, commitment to a customer service a good way to establish specific outcomes and culture is essential to creating a successful business. metrics, according to Ms Sarfati. “Remember, the board of directors does not have all the answers,” Susan Sarfati, President and CEO, The Center she said. “It is all about people and relationships.” for Association Leadership, United States, and Susan Sarfati Executive Vice President, American Society of Hamdi Dogan, Secretary General of the Kocaeli Association Executives, led the session. Ms Sarfati Chamber of Industry, Turkey, said the way for told participants they should strive to exceed chambers to ensure an enthusiastic and loyal customer expectations and look at techniques from membership was to treat their members as the private sector to manage the diverse interests customers. He recalled the two rules of Stew of their clients. She cited case studies – Starbucks, Leonard Junior, President and CEO of Stew Harrods and Microsoft – to demonstrate what Leonard’s dairy stores. “The customer is always separates truly great associations from the merely right; and if the customer is wrong, re-read rule number one.” Hamdi Dogan 14 Workshops
Managing chambers in the 21st century
Rohit Talwar To address future said Rohit Talwar, CEO of Global Futures and presented four challenges, chambers of Foresight, UK. possible scenarios commerce must remain for 2012. flexible, analyze multiple Mr Talwar presented four possible scenarios for 2012. scenarios of the global The first scenario, “Love is in the Air,” was positive, economy, and adapt as with global economic growth remaining stable at 4% necessary, participants in to 5%. The second scenario, dubbed “Suspicious this workshop agreed. Minds,” foresaw economic growth rising to over 6% and the collapse of talks in the Doha round of Louis Aloccio, First Vice trade negotiations. The third scenario, “Dancing in President of Marseilles- the Dark,” predicted an economic slow down in Provence CCI, set the China and India and a global recession. The most scene with three major pessimistic scenario, “Highway to Hell,” envisioned challenges chambers zero economic growth. In the outcomes of each faced. The first challenge scenario, Mr Talwar touched on the environmental was that companies were demanding more from challenges facing local communities and the chambers, whilst chambers were looking for new opportunities for economic growth provided by income sources to support service development. The technological development. second challenge was that local chambers were being drawn into the debate alongside ICC on globalization When planning for the future, chambers must be and its impact on local economies. The third challenge aware of the following megatrends, Mr Talwar said: was that local chambers needed to work together rapid population growth in some parts of the world; more closely to support nationwide development. human longevity; environmental challenges; educating “Chambers need more accurate expertise about the more of the world’s population; and economic future,” Mr Aloccio said. growth in China, India, and Pakistan. “To respond to what comes next, you have to make space for it. In “Many organizations do not have time to reflect on the decisions you are taking, are you creating options for future and are not giving their employees the simple the future?” he asked. tools and technology to analyze future developments,”
Certificates of origin
To keep pace with the rapid worldwide shift to economic operator. Mr Zielinski also highlighted the e-business, panellists said a swift and orderly broader utility of these documents. “Certificates of transition to an electronic format for certificates of origin are important, especially for implementing origin, which were used to verify exports, must be a anti-dumping measures and encouraging the high priority for chambers. development of countries,” he said.
Steve Baker, Certification and Training Projects Robert Murphy from the Origins Sub-Directorate of Manager for the British Chamber of Commerce the World Customs Organization focused on the Miroslaw Zielinski and Enterprise, said that the benefits of electronic central role of chambers in the process: “In most processing of certificates over manual processing cases, chambers are the issuing body for certificates were decreased administrative time and costs and of origin, with verification and implementation of rules more overall efficiency. Chambers of commerce of origin the traditional role of customs.” Mr Murphy issued and certified certificates in over 140 countries gave an overview of the latest developments in the and close coordination was needed among the key harmonization of preferential and non-preferential stakeholders, such as customs officials, importers rules of origin, noting that in some countries and exporters, participants agreed. chambers were issuing preferential COs on behalf of customs. “The relationship between issuing “The European Union will convert to an all-electronic associations and verification authorities is extremely Robert Murphy format by 2011,” said Miroslaw Zielinski, Director of important,” he said. “WCF guidelines are very useful.” Customs Policy for the European Commission. The EU’s modernized customs code and its e-customs Michael Dill, from the UN’s Center for Trade decision include provisions to establish an authorized Facilitation and Electronic Business, said the CO is Workshops 15
ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet system permits duty-free, Two workshops at temporary imports of goods for business purposes. the Congress were ATA Carnets offer a practical support service to devoted to ATA Carnets. traders, exhibitors and international business travellers. The ATA Carnet system, which is currently in operation in 64 countries, contributes to strengthening the customs-business partnership worldwide.
Two workshops at the Congress were devoted to this key service of WCF. During his welcoming address at the first session, Ismail Koksal, Secretary General of TOBB, said ATA Carnets were an important way to facilitate trade in today’s global economy.
Minimizing costs was another reason companies needed ATA Carnets, said Christoph Wolf, Director, Law of International Trade and Trade Facilitation at the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. Although temporary importation and transit regimes are supposed to be free in most countries, the security deposits required by national customs legislations were expensive and inefficient for business, participants agreed. “Companies save money, save time and minimize and having high-quality, service-orientated staff, their risk with ATA Carnets,” Mr Wolf emphasized. explained Michel Barsalou, Executive Vice President of Communications and Services for the Canadian The success of the system was due to a number Chamber of Commerce. of factors, including fostering good relations with customs, keeping all records in good order, The second session looked at the procedures and strategies necessary to implement the ATA Carnet system in more countries.
Marja-Liisa Peltola, Deputy Director of the Central Christoph Wolf Chamber of Commerce of Finland, outlined the the most important cross-border certificate and six steps necessary to put the system into place, discussed the need to set up a “single window” highlighting many areas where business and entry point to integrate customs, trade and government needed to work together. “The ATA transport information. He also cited a need for Carnet is perhaps the most successful example of careful consideration of the parties on IP rights. private-public cooperation,” Ms Peltola said.
Singapore had in place a highly successful Chile was the first Latin American country to e-certificate of origin programme that is even launch the ATA Carnet system in September 2005. more secure than the paper version, said David Carmen Gloria Fuentealba, Manager of International Peter Bishop Siah, Business Development Director of Crimson Business at the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, Logic. “An electronic format protects the printed discussed ways to make the process go smoothly, document, provides online verification, and is such as establishing periodic coordination meetings secure because it is digitally encrypted,” Mr Siah with customs, addressing the concerns of groups said. “Stakeholders save time and money, and who may be against the system, and promoting the transparency and efficiency are increased,” he benefits to both government and business. added.
Mr Baker also showcased how WCF chambers in several countries were mapping CO activities, including electronic CO solutions such as the BCC e-Cert system. 16 Evening events 17 18 Workshops
Advocacy and policy reform
tape, streamlining regulations, and building trust in business.
In Russia, the Krasnodar Regional Coalition has focused on lowering administrative barriers to entrepreneurship and raising awareness of the importance of businesses to local government. Thanks to work by the coalition, a register for municipal property taxes was established, more than Igor Zharinov Ignatius Adaji and John Sullivan 20,000 small businesses received coalition help in “An organized private sector must be the engine for dealing with local governments, and new procedures economic growth,” said Ignatius Adaji, President were put into place to finance small businesses, of the Nigerian Association of CCI, Mining and said Igor Zharinov, Chairman of the Novorossijsk Agriculture at this workshop. Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Addressing the needs of chambers and their Hamid Farooqi, CEO of the Afghan International members in the world’s most nascent economies, Chamber of Commerce, described how in John Sullivan, Executive Director of the Center for Afghanistan the NBA process has helped mobilize International Private Enterprise (CIPE), talked about businesses to develop a plan for the reconstruction Hamid Farooqi the National Business Agenda (NBA) process as of the country. By launching the NBA process, a tool to engage the private sector in advocacy. Mr Farooqi noted, the Afghan chamber created a Essentially, NBAs guide chambers as they work more united voice of the private sector, helped put in with their members, identifying barriers to business, place investment-friendly laws, enhanced respect by prioritizing reforms, developing solutions, and then government for the market economy and facilitated advocating for change. NBAs have been successful closer yet transparent ties between business and in spurring political and economic reforms, curbing government. corruption, and bolstering the community’s image of business in many countries around the globe.
Panellists from Nigeria, Afghanistan and Russia shared their success stories in implementing NBAs and improving the business climate by cutting red
Chambers as trusted third parties in online business
Following the success of Chamber Trust, an international transparency and publicity,” she said. international online registry of companies, chambers Chamber Trust is part of the World Chambers of commerce have been introducing a bevy of new Network (WCN), which links 12,000 chambers. products and services aimed at building confidence Businesses tap the network when looking for in online services, which is essential for small and international information and contacts. medium-sized companies to conduct electronic commerce safely. In Ireland, which has seen strong growth in its technology sector, new products and services were John Dunne, CEO of Chambers Ireland, said new an important engine of continued expansion, Mr John Dunne applications will allow users to send e-invoices and Dunne said. “We want to encourage all companies access a secure negotiation room via the Internet – to innovate and adopt new technologies. Technology which will help chambers take full advantage of new can help move all businesses up the value chain,” he online revenue sources. said.
Eva Casado Garcia, from the Department of Georges Fischer, Manager of International Networks, Innovation and New Technologies of Madrid’s Paris Chamber of Commerce, concluded: “People Chamber of Commerce, cited the added value do business with people they know. Being a for SMEs taking part in Chamber Trust: “These chamber member provides that value-added trust.” companies can increase their chances for Workshops 19
Chamber branding
To compete with other business associations in B-vital campaign unifies all of New Zealand’s local today’s global economy, branding has become more chambers under one image. important for chambers of commerce. But branding was about much more than acquiring a logo, John Dunne, CEO of Chambers Ireland, described participants said. how two years of consultation with local chambers had led to the unification of all the local chambers “I would not consider a logo to be a brand, but under one image and with a common brand. rather it embodies the services a chamber offers and Chambers no longer used the word “commerce,” its role as the legitimate representative of the private which made the name more friendly and informal, sector,” said session moderator Mahbubur Rahman, he said. “Awareness has increased significantly as a Graham Hales President of ICC Bangladesh. result of our branding project,” he added.
Graham Hales, Chief Communications Officer, Peter Dirk Siemsen, Senior Partner, Dannemann, Interbrand Foundation, asserted that brand Siemsen, Bigler & Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, gave perception is driven by a range of factors, from advice on how to protect a brand. “The stronger product name and standard of services to packaging the brand, the stronger protection can be for your and advertising. He advised: “Ask the following domain name,” he said, referring to the Internet, a questions. Is the idea of the organization credible? major force in creating and marketing brand identity. Does it feel different, relevant and stretching?” Michael Barnett Experience revealed that chambers could be more successful by acquiring a brand and promoting it, said Michael Barnett, Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand. He said using redefined and consistent language for every product and service had helped revitalize his chamber. “Be credible, relevant, commercially balanced and daring,” he urged participants, showcasing how the
Panellists looked at examples of branding used by chambers. 20 Workshops
The technology advantage – IT and e-business for chambers
Doing business electronically presents important is now using the tool. “First comes education and opportunities for chambers to create new products mobilization of the business community to fully and services for the business community. Education leverage the opportunities,” Ms Schweitzer said. and the mobilization of the business community are needed in order to understand, trust and utilize these In his presentation “Information technology for better new opportunities. business”, the Vice President of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Kim Se-Ho Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor at the US explained: “Effective use of technology guarantees Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the steps the benefits in cost efficiency, work improvement, Sasi The chamber has taken to educate its members to use better services and customer satisfaction.” Mr Kim the “Vote for business” web service. The service showcased a variety of KCCI’s IT services, including enables chambers and companies to directly access its work in paperless trade documentation, online their elected Congress members about business seminars, KorChamBiz database, and the chamber’s issues. After three years of promotion, business role in issuing barcodes for products tailored to the business community.
Panellists discussed the opportunities Sasi The from The Netherlands Chamber of for chambers in Commerce presented online games that have doing business electronically. helped students at 40 schools learn about running a business. The games included a simulation of how to run a business in its first year.
Nissim Bar-El, CEO of Comsec Consulting, discussed the impact of security in e-business. Increased public confidence in making purchases over the web will help eliminate some barriers for SMEs trying to enter into e-commerce, he said. “The key challenge is to create e-security as a business enabler,” Mr Bar-El added.
Leadership versus management Leadership and management practices are Great leaders often feel like ordinary people, but constantly being challenged by the rapidly changing have had a transforming experience that changed business environment. Globalization has also had their lives, Ms Sarfati said. a far-reaching impact on leadership styles, while a shrinking bureaucracy has been changing the Ms Sarfati outlined the five levels of leadership way government works. The theory of what makes described by Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great: a good leader, manager, or administrator was Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others therefore in need of major redefinition, said Fahad Don’t.” At the highest level, an executive “builds Al-Sultan, Secretary General of the Council of enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, at this of personal humility and professional will,” while workshop. a competent manager “organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit Susan Sarfati, CEO of The Center for Association of predetermined objectives.” Executives can Leadership and Executive Vice President of the develop leadership skills by working with executive Susan Sarfati American Society of Associative Executives, made coaches and seeking “360-degree feedback,” Ms the distinction between the qualities of an effective Sarfati said. manager and an effective leader. “Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things. Leaders Ms Sarfati concluded by sharing 10 success work through others. CEOs are brokers of ideas. strategies for leaders. “Everyone has the capacity They focus on details, but they are also visionary,” for leadership within an organization. Leadership is she said. more an art than a science,” she said. Workshops 21
Intellectual property – a strategic tool for chambers and business
To stay competitive in the new economy, businesses need to integrate intellectual property (IP) issues into company strategy and chambers need to help them meet this requirement. ICC was creating a toolkit for chambers to create intellectual property programmes for local businesses, explained Pere Vicens, Vice Chair of WCF, who moderated this workshop.
SMEs lacked information on IP and regarded it as expensive and complicated, said Marco Marzano de Marinis, Associate Legal Officer in the SME Division provides funds to support SMEs in the formative of the World Intellectual Property Organization. IP stages. not only protected intangible assets, but helped companies raise finance and get information on the Hasan Basri Ozdamar, Owner and CEO of Minisan latest developments in technology and marketing, Automotive Machinery Production and Trade Co., he said. Turkey, and an inventor, said patent use in Turkey was hindered by the lack of expertise outside big Javier Peña Capobianco, Head of the International cities and by the high cost of patent protection. Trade Department, Uruguay Chamber of Commerce Chambers should help fund patenting activities and and Services, and Alessio Misuri of DINTEC defend the IP interests of SMEs, especially abroad, described their chamber programme that promoted he said. IP use. Embracing intellectual property reinforced chamber leadership, created new revenue- SMEs often used informal methods of protection, generating services, and attracted new members, such as contracts, secrecy and publishing, in parallel Mr Capobianco stressed. with or as a substitute for formal IP protection, especially in service industries where knowledge In Italy, where 86% of companies are SMEs, Italian does not qualify for formal protection, said Jari chambers set up DINTEC to encourage SME use Kuusisto, Director of Technology at SC-Search of patents and technological information in patent Finland. databases, Mr Misuri said. DINTEC also conducts technology audits on the IP needs of small firms and New pathways for transport and logistics
The creation of regional transport and logistic hubs said Jemal Inaishvili, Deputy Chairman of the in key regions – such as around the Black Sea Georgian Parliament. and in southern Asia – was vital to link emerging economies with the developed world. Removing Tariq Rangoonwala, Chair of ICC Pakistan, said the barriers and enhancing government cooperation Asian Highway Network developed by the UN is one was as crucial to their development as investment in of the options needed to improve transport from infrastructure, panellists agreed. India to Pakistan.
“It is more important to remove procedural barriers Panellists said more road transport is needed to to enable transport operators to move goods easily,” ease the congestion of eastern ports. Morgan said Umberto de Pretto, Deputy Secretary General Landy, Manager, Infrastructure Department at the of the International Road Transport Union. International Finance Corporation, stressed that the private sector and governments each had Kursat Tuzmen, Turkish Minister of State, highlighted an important role to play. “While some segments the importance of historic roads, such as the Silk of infrastructure Road, to the creation of regional free trade zones in development will be the three seas surrounding Turkey. He emphasized commercially viable, that chambers of commerce were playing an there will be an ongoing important role in fostering the competitiveness of the need for government transport sector and influencing the political decision involvement and process, since multi-country agreements were investment,” he said. required to make these zones a reality.
“International transport corridors and regional roads are of vital importance for economic development,” 22 Workshops
Public-private partnerships – strategies for growth
Public-private partnerships were essential to “The private sector is truly the agent of change,” meeting the Millennium Development Goals – a set said Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for of quantitative and measurable targets for reducing Commercial and Business Affairs, US Department poverty by 2015 – but a clear definition of the roles of State. Mr Mermoud put forth the US experience the private sector and government should play was as testimony. He referred to US Secretary of State lacking, participants in this workshop agreed. Condoleezza Rice, who he said believes solutions to the challenges of the 21st century will also come While recognizing the role of governments was from outside government and that chambers will changing from the purely managerial to the serve as invaluable resources. Mahmood Ayub facilitating and the enabling, Mahmood Ayub, Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative, Lee Cheng Suan, CEO of the Federation of UNDP Geneva, said: “It is well documented that it is Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), gave examples not enough to have high growth. What is needed is of how public-private partnerships worked in shared growth.” Malaysia. He focused on the FMM’s Customs Smart Partnerships programme to train customs personnel. Dimitri Dimitriadis, President of the European “In Malaysia, government and chambers aim to Economic and Social Committee, said public-private facilitate business, not frustrate it,” he said. partnerships encouraged entrepreneurship and accelerated the implementation and development Güven Sak, Director of the Economic Policy Lee Cheng Suan of new technologies. “Public-private partnerships Research Foundation of Turkey, noted that when represent a new paradigm for economic economic reform outpaced financial reform, public- development in the 21st century,” he said. private partnerships were needed to close the gap. “Chambers have an essential role to play in creating a conducive business environment,” he said. Panellists agreed PPPs were “Given their public and essential to meeting the private features, they are Millennium Development Goals. strong mechanisms for dialogue and they play an integral role in private sector development.”
ICC arbitration
Globalization and the huge expansion in world trade International Court of Arbitration, which is composed have heightened the need for dispute resolution of members from more than 80 countries covering all mechanisms suited to international business. From major legal and cultural traditions, has handled over its very early years, ICC has responded to this need 15,000 cases since its creation in 1923. by offering dispute resolution services specially designed for international contracts. As revealed in a recent study commissioned by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 76% of companies polled Such contracts are often between parties of different expressed a preference for arbitration administered linguistic, legal and cultural backgrounds and call by an international institution, and ICC came out as for sensitive handling by specialists aware of the the clear favourite in the field. importance of a rapid, final and cost-effective solution. The Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Anne Marie Whitesell, spoke of the ICC arbitration has forged an unparalleled reputation many benefits to companies of resolving disputes for resolving international business disputes. The ICC through ICC arbitration. “The rules governing Workshops 23
Investing in the future – chambers, youth and entrepreneurs
Developing chamber members of tomorrow must entrepreneurial way of thinking to society,” explained start at the beginning of their educational and the chamber Managing Director Uljas Valkeinen. professional lives. This workshop looked at ways chambers were helping young future members. Scott Greenlee, President of Junior Chamber International, which has a network of nearly a quarter Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of the Young Chamber of a million members in over 100 countries, noted in the United Kingdom, explained the chamber’s that the number of CEOs under age 35 is increasing. programme linking schools and local businesses. JCI leads projects in personal business, community “Young Chamber is a simple idea that aims to give and international development. “We believe that people aged 11 to 19 a voice in the process of to create better entrepreneurs is to create better business engagement,” he said. As part of a national societies,” he said. pilot with the UK government, Young Chamber has been rolled out across the accredited network of British chambers of commerce.
Senior Vice-President of the Taganrog Interregional The workshop Chamber of Commerce Olga Medlock presented a looked at the project under way in Russia that used universities as ways chambers are helping a primary place to recruit new employees. “People future members. are not rich in their knowledge but in their ability and aspiration to retain new knowledge and convert this into expertise,” she said. The project promoted closer coordination between chambers, universities, SMEs, and recruiting agencies.
The Vancouver Board of Trade created the Leaders of Tomorrow Program and The Company of Young. Darcy Rezac, Managing Director, described the projects launched in 2006 to teach young people leadership and volunteerism through pairing young members with a mentor from the business community.
The Y4 project, implemented by the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aimed to show that work and entrepreneurship are an integral part of society. “One of the points of departure of the Y4 process is to bring entrepreneurs and an
ICC arbitration
ICC proceedings offer sufficient flexibility to The popularity of international arbitration owed much accommodate the parties’ wishes over such matters to the New York Convention, which came out of a as the language and the place of the arbitration, the movement initiated by ICC and currently ensured choice of arbitrators, and the applicable procedural that arbitral awards enjoyed more widespread and substantive rules. At the same time, however, recognition across the world than judgements of they provide a secure and predictable framework national courts, she said. that is reassuring for the parties and helps to ensure that things run smoothly,” she said. Ms Whitesell said there should be greater awareness about arbitration. “Active promotion is essential, Ms Whitesell continued: “Costs are also predictable not only by ICC, but equally by local chambers as they are calculated using scales based on the of commerce, which are closest to grass-roots amount in dispute. A further, and not insignificant, business,” she said. advantage is the quality of the final decision, which is scrutinized by the Court before being issued to the parties.” 24 Closing session
The closing session included a hand-over ceremony to Malaysia.
Hakim Borhan
Congress closing ceremony
Hakim Borhan, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, and Yong “We are gathered in one of the world’s most up- “The Poh Kon, President of the Federation of Malaysian and-coming cities, Istanbul,” Mr Hisarciklioglu said. Manufacturers, took the stage with ICC WCF leaders “We meet at a time when Turkey is attracting foreign partnerships and the host delegation from Turkey to officiate the investment and continuing to make deep economic Congress closing and hand-over ceremony. The next reforms. Turkey is a bridge between east and and biennial Congress will be held in Kuala Lumpur in west and it was an ideal setting for our chambers connections 2009. Congress.” In his closing words, Rona Yircali, ICC World ICC Chairman Marcus Wallenberg drew attention made here Chambers Federation Chair, said: “This year’s to the underlying merit of the Congress. “The Congress has opened up a whole new dimension partnerships and connections made here will will continue since the first Congress in Marseilles in 1999. The continue long into the future. This is what the world in which we operate has changed a lot since Congress is all about: building the links that long into the then, requiring fresh thinking by chambers, business ultimately facilitate trade among nations,” he said. and government, working in closer collaboration. future.” Chambers serve a crucial function in helping to Mr Wallenberg also highlighted the multilateral strengthen local organizations. I thank each and trade declaration produced at the Congress: to Marcus Wallenberg every one of you. Your contributions have been – press harder for a global accord in the World Trade ICC Chairman and will continue to be – invaluable.” Organization’s Doha round of trade negotiations. The statement was issued during the plenary on threats Mr Yircali was joined in his remarks by Rifat to multilateralism. Hisarciklioglu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, and Kadir “We are counting on you to redouble your efforts Topbas, Mayor of Istanbul. when you return home, to convince your government leaders to act swiftly and finalize an agreement in the Doha round of world trade talks,” he said.
In bringing the 5th World Chambers Congress to an end, Mr Yircali signalled the growing importance of the Congress. “It is a sign of the drawing power of this event that bids to host the Congress through 2017 have already been filed,” he said.
Yong Poh Kon Media 25
A total of 200 journalists attended the Congress.
Media
The 5th World Chambers Congress was widely The coverage was the result of initiatives taken by covered by local and international media through ICC’s Communications Department in cooperation newspapers, website articles and television reports with The Union of Chambers and Commodity before, during and after the event. A total of 200 Exchange of Turkey. This year’s World Chambers journalists attended the Congress. Congress coverage surpassed the amount of Guy Sebban coverage the event had received in previous years. Highlights of the coverage included television interviews with CNN Turkey and Al Jazeera; an op- For the full media coverage, please visit: ed in Turkey’s leading English-language business daily signed by Rona Yircali on the crucial role of http://www.iccwbo.org/ chambers in Turkish reform; live reports by Turkey’s worldchamberscongress/2007/id14094/index.html 24-hour news channel on daily events at the Congress; and an ad in The Wall Street Journal Europe. Rona Yircali Other examples of media that covered the Congress WCF, TOBB and included: the Financial Times, the Gulf Daily News, ICC leaders spoke BBC Monitoring Europe and Xinhua News Agency, with the media at press conferences as well as leading publications in Turkey, Australia, and in one-on-one India, Sri Lanka and China. interviews.
As part of ICC’s media partnership with The Wall Street Journal Europe, an advertisement was placed (at no charge) in the newspaper on 23 May. It encouraged people to register for the Congress and highlighted key speakers. Other international media partnerships included Commerce International and EU Commerz. Both magazines ran feature stories about the Congress with front page exposure for ICC. Turkish media partners ran daily news of the Congress events. These partners included Turkish Daily News, Hurriyet, Ekonomist, Zaman, Milliyet, Referans, and others. 26 Competition
Best International Cooperation Finalists WINNER The Confederation of Brazilian Commercial The Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation – and Business Associations – Brazil Spain Essen Chamber of Arts and Crafts – Germany PAI – The International Action Plan Programa Capacitar Nordeste The Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation project “The The Confederation of Brazilian Commercial and Business International Action Plan” aimed to bring companies closer to international markets by Associations together with Essen Chamber of Arts and creating a programme dedicated exclusively to building international relations. Crafts in Germany implemented the Programa Capacitar The Chamber of Commerce for Bedfordshire – United Kingdom Nordeste in the north-eastern region of Brazil. The project Pathways to Skills Transfer has succeeded in changing the perception of chambers The Chamber of Commerce for Bedfordshire created “Pathways to Skills Transfer,” a of commerce from social clubs to influential and important project allowing immigrants from Eastern Europe to verify whether their qualifications from parts of the business community. their home country were transferable to the United Kingdom workplace. The Chamber of Industry and Trade of Stuttgart – Germany The Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism of Santa Cruz – Bolivia Help to Grow: The Impossible is Possible The Chamber of Industry and Trade of Stuttgart and the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism of Santa Cruz, cooperated to help improve the competitiveness of the SMEs in the region of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, promote economic development and reduce poverty. The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry – United Kingdom Productivity Challenge: Enhancing Cambodian service provision to SMEs The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Danish Chamber of Commerce, worked with chambers in Cambodia to strengthen the business relationships between the countries by holding interactive seminars and workshops and inviting members to visit the UK and Denmark to observe their newly learnt skills in operation.
Best New Membership Recruitment Finalists WINNER The Vancouver Board of Trade – Canada The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry A Membership Strategy of Engagement The Allure of Anguilla for Business The Vancouver Board of Trade leveraged its potential as The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed a public-private partnership with the best networking venue in the region, including writing the government of Anguilla, resulting in a membership increase from 60 to 1,110 members a book on the subject, and increased its membership by from 2006 to 2007. 30%. The Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton – Bosnia and Herzegovina Recruitment and Retaining of Membership and Promotion of the Chamber Services The Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton had 550 members rejoin the chamber after dropping to zero members due to a new law in Bosnia and Herzegovina that made chamber membership non-mandatory. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Eastern Province – Saudi Arabia New Membership Projects The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Eastern Province aimed to develop the non-oil economic sectors of the country and saw chamber membership grow from 100 in the 1950s to just under 24,000 in 2006. The Goderich and District Chamber of Commerce – Canada Gearing for Growth The Goderich and District Chamber of Commerce, through a variety of measures that included creating a website and hiring a part-time business manager, increased its membership from 54 members in 2004 to 156 by the end of 2006. Competition 27
Best Skills Development Programme Finalists WINNER The County Carlow Chamber – Ireland The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Induction Matters in Every Language series of multilingual DVDs Industry – Bangladesh The County Carlow Chamber encouraged the integration of migrant workers into the DCCI Business Institute workforce and society through language support and multicultural awareness and diversity The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry started a management. training centre and created human resource development The Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry programmes to assist SMEs in facing the challenges of Training and Development Resources Initiative for Business in Iraq globalization. The Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry developed the Training and Development Resources Initiative for Business in Iraq to provide training and development for all Iraqis to increase employment and overall economic growth. The Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Finland Approved Board Member Training Programme The Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry developed the Approved Board Member Training Programme to assist companies with developing good corporate governance practices and improving their business environment.
Best Unconventional Project for SMEs Finalists WINNER The Chamber of Economy of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Federation of Chambers of Commerce With New Design towards World Markets and Industry of Sri Lanka The Chamber of Economy of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina connected businesses Back to Business and educational institutions in the woodworking industry to increase the economic The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry development of the region. of Sri Lanka set up 10 regional help desks to assist The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry – United Kingdom businesses in getting back on their feet following the Liverpooltenders.com tsunami. To date, 11 119 businesses have been restored. The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry established the Liverpooltenders.com alert services to better inform businesses when a tender is advertised so that they may enter a bid. The alert services include SMS and e-mail messages. Massif Central Chambers of Commerce and Industry Union - France MAGETA® The Massif Central Chambers of Commerce and Industry Union increased the sustainability of local businesses by creating a computer programme, MAGETA®, that links local retailers to local wholesalers. The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry TUUL 21 The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry created the TUUL 21 project to show businesses the benefits and importance of cleaner practices. As a result, the chamber is now seen as a national authority on issues of environmental management in Mongolia. Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Australia Grow Me the Money™ The Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry created the Grow Me the Money initiative to assist enterprises in making their workplaces more environmentally friendly.
Best Project from a Developing Country Chamber
This award was introduced at the 5th World Chambers Congress to recognize outstanding WINNERS achievement by a chamber operating in a challenging business environment. There were Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry two winners. and Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton 28 Participating organizations
Participating organizations
International EPA Victoria Canada France organizations Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Alberta Chambers of Commerce Assembly of French Chambers of and transnational Commerce and Industry (ACFCI) NSW Business Chamber Limited Burnaby Board of Trade chambers CCI of Meurthe and Moselle Victorian Employers Chamber of Canadian Chamber of Commerce All African Federation of Chambers Commerce and Industry CCI of Strasbourg and Lower of Commerce, Industry and David LLP Rhine Agriculture Austria Edmonton Chamber of ICC France Association of Latin American Commerce Chambers of Commerce (AICO) Austrian Consulate General Paris Chamber of Commerce and Goderich and District Chamber of Industry Association of Mediterranean Austrian Federal Economic Commerce Chambers of Commerce and Chamber Massif Central Chamber of Shepa Learning Company Industry (ASCAME) ICC Austria Commerce and Industry Union Business Humanitarian Forum The Vancouver Board of Trade Azerbaijan Georgia EU Renewable Energy Council Cayman Islands (EREC) Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cayman Islands Chamber of and Industry Eurochambres Commerce The European Chamber of Eurochambres Women Network Commerce of Azerbaijan Germany Chile European Commission Association of German Chambers Bahrain Santiago Chamber of Commerce of Industry and Commerce European Economic and Social ICC Bahrain CCI Reutlingen Committee China European Parliament Chamber of Commerce and Bangladesh CCPIT/COIC Beijing Industry (IHK) Stuttgart Federation of Chambers of Apex Footwear Limited Industrial and Commercial Bank of Gefeg Commerce of Central America China Limited (FECAMCO) Bangladesh Employer’s Federation ICC Germany ICC China General Union of Arab Chambers Bangladesh Women Chamber of Potsdam Chamber of Commerce of Commerce, Industry and Commerce and Industry Colombia Sequa GmbH Partner of German Agriculture Green Delta Insurance Co. Ltd. Bogota Chamber of Commerce Business International Finance Corporation ICC Bangladesh (IFC) South Westphalia Chamber of Kedarpur Tea Company Limited Congo Commerce and Industry Hagen International Organization for Migration (IOM) Metropolitan Chamber of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, The Kiel Institute for the World Commerce & Industry Agriculture and Trade Economy International Road Transport Union (IRU) Square Group of Companies Croatia Greece Islamic Development Bank The Dhaka Chamber of Consulate General of the Republic Athens Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry Junior Chamber International (JCI) of Croatia and Industry Transcom Group Organisation for Economic Croatian Chamber of Economy Chamber of Achaia Cooperation and Development Belgium Croatian Chamber of Economy- Chamber of Commerce and SAARC Chamber of Commerce County Chamber Rijeka Industry of Pieria and Industry Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp-Waasland Cuba Chamber of Commerce and The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Industry Xanthi Chamber of Commerce Leuven Chamber of Commerce of the Chambers of Commerce and Chamber of Ioannina Industry (CACCI) ICC Belgium Republic of Cuba Chamber of Tradesmen of Athens United Nations Development Cyprus Programme (UNDP) Benin Ilias Chamber Benin Chamber of Commerce and Cyprus Chamber of Commerce World Customs Organization and Industry ICC Greece (WCO) Industry ICC Cyprus Ministry of Economy and Finance- World Intellectual Property Bolivia Information Society Organization (WIPO) Chamber of Industry, Trade, Czech Republic Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Services and Tourism Santa Cruz Economic Chamber of the Czech (CAINCO) Republic Thessaloniki Chamber of Afghanistan Commerce and Industry Afghanistan International Bosnia and Egypt Herzegovina Guatemala Chamber of Commerce Federation of Egyptian Chambers Afghan Women’s Business Chamber of Economy of of Commerce Chamber of Commerce of Federation (AWBF) Federation of Bosnia and Guatemala Herzegovina ICC Egypt Albania Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Ethiopia Guinea-Bissau Canton Guinea-Bissau Chamber of Chamber of Commerce and Addis Ababa Chamber of Industry Tirana Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia Commerce, Industry and Commerce and Sectoral Agriculture and Herzegovina Associations Anguilla Hong Kong Anguilla Chamber of Commerce Brazil Finland Li & Fung Group and Industry Confederation of Brazilian Central Chamber of Commerce Commercial and Business of Finland Armenia Associations (CACB) Hungary Helsinki Region Chamber of Chamber of Commerce and Danneman, Siemsen, Bigler and Commerce Hungarian Chamber of Industry of the Republic of Ipanema Moreira Commerce and Industry Armenia ICC Finland Bulgaria Lappeenranta University of India Australia Sabev and Partners Law Firm Technology, SC-Research Birla Group Australian Chamber of Commerce Sopharma Plc. Tampere Chamber of Commerce Ercom Engineers Private Limited and Industry and Industry Commerce Queensland Participating organizations 29
Federation of Indian Chambers of Kazakhstan Malaysia Lagos Chamber of Commerce Arar Chambers of Commerce and Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Industry Industry KAZKA Association of Kazakhstan AOS Conventions and Events Great Eastern Energy Corporation Entrepreneurs Nigerian Association of Chambers Chamber of Commerce and Ltd. Embassy of Malaysia of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Industry Eastern Province The National Union of Agriculture India International Trade Centre Entrepreneurs and Employers of Federation of Malaysian ICC Saudi Arabia Kazakhstan Manufacturers (FMM) Nigerian-South African Chamber ICC India of Commerce Jazan Chamber of Commerce and Kuala Lumpur City Hall Industry Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Republic of Korea Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Port Harcourt Chamber of Limited (South) Commerce, Industry, Mines and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce Lensa Film Sdn Bhd and Industry Meenakshi Tea Company Limited Ansan Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Makkah Chamber of Commerce Poddar Heritage Enterprises and Industry Malaysian Industrial Development Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Authority Belgore and Industry Sanghi Organization Bucheon Chamber of Commerce & Industry Malaysian International Chamber The Council of Saudi Chambers of Til Limited of Commerce and Industry Norway Commerce and Industry Daesung Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board DnB Nor Bank Yanbu Chamber of Commerce Indonesia ICC Korea and Industry Messrs Skrine and Co. ICC Norway Indonesian Chamber of Korea Chamber of Commerce and Commerce and Industry Industry Ministry of International Trade and Norwegian School of Senegal Industry Management BI Korea Trade Center Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Iran Naga DBB Oslo Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture Pohang Chamber of Commerce Arak Chamber of Commerce, and Industry The Norwegian Association of Industries and Mines Mauritius Chambers of Commerce and Serbia Samkoo Development Co., Ltd Atieh International Transport The Mauritius Chamber of Industry Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Samwhan Corporation Commerce and Industry Iran Chamber of Commerce, Oman Serbian Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines Samyang Corporation Mexico Oman Chamber of Commerce Singapore Kerman Chamber of Commerce, Seongnam Chamber of and Industry Industries and Mines Commerce and Industry Centro Banamex Crimson Logic Orumieh Chamber of Commerce, Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and ICC Mexico Pakistan ICC Singapore Industry and Mines Industry Mexico Business Summit DHL Pakistan (PUT) Limited Singapore Business Federation Qazvin Chamber of Commerce, Kyrgyzstan National Chamber of Commerce Habib Jute Mills Ltd. Singapore International Chamber Industries and Mines of Mexico City ICC Pakistan of Commerce Sobhe Sadegh Co. Bishkek Business Club Moldova KASB Group Slovakia Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Laos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mines Palestine Slovak Chamber of Commerce Lao National Chamber of Industry of the Republic of and Industry Tabriz Chamber of Commerce, Commerce and Industry Moldova Industries and Mines Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce Slovenia Lebanon Monaco Iraq Chamber of Commerce and Abou Merhi Group Beach and Cashmere Monaco Peru Iraqi American Chamber of Industry of Slovenia Commerce and Industry Al Rifai Roastery Carax Confiep (Confederacion Nacional de Instituciones Empresariales) ICC Slovenia Sulaimany Chamber of Commerce American University of Beirut Cavpa South Africa and Industry Assia Plast S.A.R.L. ICC Monaco Philippines Philippine Chamber of Commerce Durban Chamber of Commerce Ireland Association of Insurance Monaco Contact Sarl and Industry Companies in Lebanon and Industry Chambers Ireland Monaco Economic Chamber of ICC South Africa Audi Saradar Private Banking Commerce Portugal County Carlow Chamber Johannesburg Chamber of Bank Med Space Systems International ICC Portugal Commerce and Industry Dublin Chamber of Commerce Monaco BBAC Bank Sal South Dublin Chamber Romania National African Federated B.B.Energy Holdings N.V. Mongolia Chamber of Commerce and Center for International Private Industry (NAFCOC) Israel Beirut Chamber of Commerce, Mongolian National Chamber of Enterprise (CIPE) Romania National Association of Comsec Consulting Industry and Agriculture Commerce and Industry Chamber of Commerce and Automobile Manufacturers of Federation of Israeli Chambers of BLC Bank Sal Morocco Industry of Romania South Africa (NAAMSA) Commerce C.A.R.E. Group Embassy of Morocco CI and Management SRL South African Chamber of ICC Israel Business Consolidated Contractors Valcea Chamber of Commerce Company Netherlands Italy and Industry Spain First National Bank Sal Amsterdam Chamber of Bridas Corporation Commerce and Industry Russia Badajoz Chamber of Commerce Gezairi Transport S.A.L and Industry DINTEC Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce and Indevco Industry of the Russian Federation Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Federdistribuzione Rotterdam ICC Lebanon Industry and Navigation Chamber of Commerce West - ICC Russia ICC Italy Bilbao Chamber of Commerce Malia Holding Sal Brabant Novorossiysk Chamber of Torino Chamber of Commerce Menabex International The Netherland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Catalan Council of Chambers of Commerce Commerce Jamaica Tabbara Company for Commerce Perm Chamber of Commerce and and Industry Unilever Noderland Holdings B.V. Industry Chamber of Commerce and The American Chamber of Industry of Alava Commerce of Jamaica The Consulting Group Holdings Taganrog Interregional Chambers Ltd New Zealand of Commerce and Industry Chamber of Commerce of Malaga Japan Auckland Chamber of Commerce Vologda Chamber of Commerce Girona Chamber of Commerce Libya The Higashiosaka Chamber of Otago Chamber of Commerce and Industry High Council of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Benghazi Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry of Spain and Industry Wellington Regional Chamber of Rwanda The Kita-Osaka Chamber of Commerce ICC Spain Commerce and Industry Chamber of Tourism Lithuania Lleida Chamber of Commerce and Nicaragua Private Sector Federation of Jordan ICC Lithuania Industry Superior Council for Private Entrepreneurs Amman Chamber of Commerce Enterprise (COSEP) Madrid Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg Saudi Arabia Century Wear Co. Respol YPF European Investment Bank Nigeria Al Ahsa Chamber of Commerce ICC Jordan Segovia Chamber of Commerce ICC Nigeria and Industry and Industry Irbid Chamber of Commerce Macedonia Jof Nigeria Ltd. Al Qurayat Chamber of Commerce Mafraq Chamber of Commerce Economic Chamber of Macedonia and Industry 30 Participating organizations
Sri Lanka Alaplı Chamber of Commerce and Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Erzincan Commodity Exchange Isparta Commodity Exchange Industry Industry Federation of Chambers of Esen Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Aliağa Chamber of Commerce BUSEB A.Ş. Commerce and Industry of Sri Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce Istanbul Commodity Exchange Lanka Anfaş Fuarcılık İşletme ve Yatırım BYEGM A.Ş Eskişehir Commodity of Istanbul Convention and Visitors Hambantota District Chamber of Cadbury Kent Exchanges Bureau Commerce Ankara Chamber of Commerce Caferağa Medresesi EU- Turkey Business Centre Kocaeli Istanbul Economic Mission ICC Sri Lanka Ankara Commodity Exchange Calyon Bank Türk A.Ş. Expo 2015 İzmir İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality The Ceylon Chamber of Antakya Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry Çanakkale Chamber of Commerce Fatsa Chamber of Commerce and İstanbul Stock Exchange and Industry Industry Antalya Chamber of Commerce Italian Trade Commission Sweden Çanakkale Commodity Exchange Fatsa Commodity Exchange and Industry İzmir Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce and Ardeşen Chamber of Commerce Çankırı Chamber of Commerce Fethiye Chamber of Commerce Industry of Southern Sweden and Industry İzmir Commodity Exchange and Industry GAP Regional Development E. Öhman J:or AB Çankırı Commodity Exchange Agency İznik Chamber of Commerce and Arıhan ve Arıhan Industry ICC Sweden Artvin Chambers of Commerce Çarşamba Chamber of Commerce Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce and Industry JP Morgan Chase Bank Saab and Industry Gebze Chamber of Commerce Çarşamba Commodity Exchange Kahramanmaraş Commodity Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken ASKON Gemlik Chamber of Commerce Exchange West Sweden Chamber of Avrupa Serbest Bölgesi Kurucu ve Çaycuma Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industry Karabük Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry İşleticisi A.Ş. Gemlik Commodity Exchanges and Industry Ceyhan Chamber of Commerce Switzerland Avusturya Başkonsolosu Gemlik Port and Warehousing Karacabey Commodity Exchange Chamber of Shipping Administration Co. Inc. Nestle SA Aydın Chamber of Commerce Karapınar Chamber of Commerce Aydın Commodity Exchange Çimtaş Çelik İmalat Montaj ve Gemport Gemlik Liman ve and Industry Chamber of Commerce, Industry Tesisat A.Ş. Depolama İşletmeleri A.Ş. and Services of Geneva Aygaz Karapınar Commodity Exchanges Çınar and Çınar Gerede Chamber of Commerce Permanent Mission of Canada Ayhan Gümüş and Industry Kastamonu Commodity Exchange to WTO CitiBank Ayvalık Chamber of Commerce German-Turkish Chamber of Kaya Holding Ticino Chamber of Commerce Coca Cola Commerce and Industry Babaeski Chamber of Commerce Kayseri Chamber of Commerce Colgate Palmolive Türkiye A.Ş. Syria and Industry Giresun Commodity Exchange Kayseri Chamber of Industry Babaeski Commodity Exchange Çorlu Chamber of Commerce and GMD Global Danışmanlık Ltd. Damascus Chamber of Industry Industry Kayseri Commodity Exchange ICC Syria Bafra Chamber of Commerce and Goldart Holding Kdz.Ereğli Ticaret ve San.Odası Industry Çorum Chamber of Commerce Louka and Mitry Office Petroleum and Industry Gönen Chamber of Commerce Keşan Chamber of Commerce Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce Marketing Department Coşkun Mühendislik Müşavirlik A.Ş. Gördes and Industry Balıkesir Chamber of Industry Kibar Holding A.Ş. Tajikistan Çubuk Commodity Exchange Gördes Carpets, Jewellery, Leather Balıkesir Commodity Exchange Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Gördes Chamber of Commerce Kilis Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Industry of the Republic of Bandırma Chamber of Commerce Industry and Industry Tajikistan Bandırma Commodity Exchange Danone Tikveşli A.Ş. Governor of Istanbul Kırıkkale Chamber of Industry Kırklareli Chamber of Commerce Thailand Banking Regulation and Dedeman Company Group of Architects and Engineers Supervision Agency and Industry Board of Trade of Thailand DEİK- Foreign Economic Relations Güvender Bankpozitifi Kredi ve Kalkınma Board Kırklareli Commodity Exchange ICC Thailand Bankası A.Ş. Haber Anadolu Basın Yayın LTD. Demirci Chamber of Commerce ŞTİ Kızıltepe Commodity Exchange Thai Chamber of Commerce and Bartın Chamber of Commerce and and Industry Koç Holding A.Ş. Industry Industry HAK-İŞ Trade Union Federation Denizli Chamber of Industry Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Thai Trade Center Batman Commodity Exchange Hakkari Chamber of Commerce Develi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Konya Chamber of Industry Bayındır Chamber of Commerce Togo Dinar Chamber of Commerce and Halkbank A.Ş Konya Commodity Exchanges Bergama Chamber of Commerce Industry Groupe Djocotrans Siloe Hatko TeknikDonanımlar Korteks Mensucat Sanayi A.Ş. GTPME / PMI Best A.Ş. Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce Mümessillik ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Industry KOSGEB Societe Sim3 Sarl Beypazarı Chamber of Commerce Hayat Kimya Sanayi A.Ş. Doğan Yayın Holding Kozan Chamber of Commerce Biga Commodity Exchange Haymana Chamber of Commerce Tunisia Doğubayazıt Chamber of Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Bilecik Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry Haymana Commodity Exchange Tunis Chamber of Commerce and and Industry Kumluca Chamber of Commerce Industry Dörtyol Chamber of Commerce Hayrabolu Chamber of Commerce and Industry BlokBims and Industry and Industry Kütahya Commodity Exchange Turkey Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Hayrabolu Commodity Exchange Durmaz Zeytin Kütahya Porselen ABB Holding AŞ Bolvadin Chamber of Commerce Düzce Commodity Exchange Hema Endüstri A.Ş. and Industry Lüleburgaz Chamber of ABFT- American Business Forum Economic Policy Research Hopa Chamber of Commerce and Commerce and Industry in Turkey Bor Chamber of Commerce and Foundation of Turkey-TEPAV Industry Industry Lüleburgaz Commodity Adana Chamber of Commerce Eczacıbaşı Holding A.Ş. İBB Exchanges Borusan Lojistik Dağıtım, Adapazarı Chamber of Commerce Depolama, Taşımacılık ve Tic. A.Ş. Edirne Chamber of Commerce ICC Turkey Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industry and Industry Borusan Mannesmann Boru ve ICOC Adapazarı Commodity Exchange San. Tic. A.Ş. Edremit Chamber of Commerce ICVB Malatya Commodity Exchange Afyonkarahisar Chamber of Bossa T.A.Ş. Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Iğdır Commodity Exchanges Manavgat Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry Industry and Industry Boyabat Chamber of Commerce İGEME- Export Promotion Centre Aegean Region Chamber of and Industry Elazığ Commodity Exchange Manisa Commodity Exchange Industry of Turkey Bozüyük Chamber of Commerce Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. IMEAK Chamber of Shipping MB Consulting AIESEC Turkey and Industry Erdem Holding İnebolu Chamber of Commerce Mediterranean University Akhisar Chamber of Commerce Brisa A.Ş. and Industry Erdemli Chamber of Commerce and Industry Menemen Chamber of Bulancak Chamber of Commerce and Industry Investment Support and Commerce Akkök Sanayi Yatırım ve Geliştirme and Industry A.Ş. Ereğli (Konya) Commodity Promotion Agency of Turkey Merkez Yayın Holding A.Ş. Bunyan Chamber of Commerce Exchange Akkök Şirketler Grubu Ipsala Commodity Exchange Mersin Chamber of Commerce Burç Grup Ereğli (Krd) Chamber of İş Hayatı Dayanışma Derneği and Industry Akyazı Commodity Exchange Commerce and Industry Burdur Chamber of Commerce İskefe Deri San Ve Tic A.Ş. Merzifon Chamber of Commerce Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ereğli Gemi İnşaat Sanayi ve and Industry and Industry Ticaret A.Ş. Isparta Chamber of Commerce Burdur Commodity Exchange and Industry Milas Chamber of Commerce Participating organizations 31
Mineks International Siverek Chamber of Commerce Union of Turkish Travel Agencies United Kingdom and Industry (TURSAB) Minisan Automotive Machinery Bedfordshire and Luton Chamber Production and Trade Co. Spanish Embassy Commercial Ünye Chamber of Commerce and of Commerce Office Industry Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Birmingham Chamber of Affairs Sungurlu Chamber of Commerce Ünye Commodity Exchange Commerce and Industry and Industry Ministry of Energy and Natural Uşak Chamber of Commerce and British Chambers of Commerce Resources Suni ve Sentetik İplik Üreticileri Industry Birliği Fast Future – GFF Ministry of Finance Uşak Commodity Exchange T.C. İstanbul Valiliği Dış İlişkiler ve HSBC Ministry of Industry and Trade AB Koordinasyon Merkezi Uzunköprü Chamber of Commerce and Industry Interbrand Ministry of Interior Affairs Taiwan Trade Center Vakıfbank Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Ministry of Justice Taksim Yatırım A.Ş. and Industry Vakıfbank İstanbul Bölge Genel Muğla Chamber of Commerce Tarsus Chamber of Commerce Müdür Yard. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muğla Commodity Exchange Vakıfbank İstanbul Bölge Genel Rio Tinto Plc MUSİAD Tatvan Chamber of Commerce Müdürlüğü Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industry National Productivity Centre Van Chamber of Commerce and Tavşanlı Chamber of Commerce Industry Sheffield City Council Nevşehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Industry Vezirköprü Chamber of Young Chamber United Kingdom TEB Commerce and Industry Nevşehir Commodity Exchange Tekfen Holding Voith Industrial Servıces United States Nizip Commodity Exchange Endüstüryal Hız Ltd Ştı Tekirdağ Chamber of Commerce 3M Ödemiş Chamber of Commerce and Industry World Trade Center Istanbul/ American Chamber of Commerce Antalya Branch Oflaz İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. Tekirdağ Commodity Exchange Executives Yahyalı Chamber of Commerce Ordu Chamber of Commerce and Temel Transport A.Ş. ASAE and The Center for Industry Yalova Chamber of Commerce Association Leadership Terme Chamber of Commerce and Industry Orhangazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry CatGen and Industry Yarış Kabin San. Tic. A.Ş. Terme Commodity Exchange Center for International Private Orkestra Yaşar Holding A. Ş. Enterprise (CIPE) The Grand National Assembly of Osmaniye Chamber of Commerce Turkey-TBMM YASED – International Investors Dechert LLP and Industry Association The Union of Chambers and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Paşabahçe Cam Sanayii ve Ticaret Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Yerköy Commodity Exchange Commerce A.Ş. (TOBB) Yozgat Chamber of Commerce Metro Atlanta Chamber of Permanent International Tire Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commerce Secretariat Organization of the BESC Today’s Zaman Yüksekova Chamber of Commerce Mobile Area Chamber of and Industry Commerce Ram Dış Ticaret A.Ş. Tokat Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zaman Orlando Regional Chamber of Reyhanlı Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry TOOB ETÜ Zile Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pennsylvania Chamber of Business Rize Chamber of Commerce and Torbalı Chamber of Commerce and Industry Industry Zile Commodity Exchange Trabzon Commodity Exchange The Albright Group LLC Rize Commodity Exchange Zonguldak Chamber of TÜGİK Commerce and Industry Turkish- American Chamber of Roda Liman Lojistik ve Depolama TÜMSİAD Commerce and Industry A.Ş. Zorlu Enerji Group of Companies United States Council for Turkish Public Relations Full representation by diplomatic Roda Liman Lojistik ve Depolama Associations International Business (USCIB) A.Ş. consuls and embassies for the Tüpraş Genel Müdürlüğü A.Ş. opening ceremony US Chamber of Commerce Rusya İstanbul Başkonsolosluğu Turgutlu Chamber of Commerce US Department of State Safranbolu Chamber of Uganda and Industry US West Commerce and Industry Uganda Investment Authority Turhal Chamber of Commerce Wiley Rein Salihli Chamber of Commerce and and Industry Industry Ukraine Türk Ekonomi Bankası Uruguay Samsun Chamber of Commerce Cherkasy Chamber of Commerce and Industry Türk - Fransız Ticaret Derneği and Industry National Chamber of Commerce and Services of Uruguay Sanko Holding A.Ş. Turkish- American Business Donetsk Chamber of Commerce Association and Industry Şanlıurfa Chamber of Commerce Venezuela and Industry Turkish Chamber of Shipping ICC Ukraine ICC Venezuela Şanlıurfa Commodity Exchange Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Ivano – Frankivsk Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry Vietnam Sarkuysan Elektronik Bakır Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. Turkish Free Trade Zone Assembly Lugansk Regional Chamber of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce Commerce and Industry and Industry Schott Orim Cam Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş. Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TYD) Odessa Regional Chamber of Sedef Fuarcılık Commerce and Industry Türkiye Esnaf ve Sanatkarları Şekerbank T. A.Ş. Konfederasyonu (TESK) Rivne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Selçuk Chamber of Commerce Türkiye Tekstil Sanayi İşverenleri Şereflikoçhisar Chamber of Sendikası Transcarpathian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commerce Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası A.Ş. SESTRCIC The Ukrainian Chamber of Turkland Bank A.Ş. Commerce and Industry Siemens Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. Turset Congress Incentive Event United Arab Emirates Siirt Chamber of Commerce and TUSKON Industry Dubai Chamber of Commerce Ukrayna İstanbul Başkonsolosu Simav Chamber of Commerce and and Industry Industry Ülker ICC U.A.E. Sinop Chamber of Commerce and Uluslararası Nakliyeciler Derneği U.A.E. Federation of Chambers of Industry Undersecretariat of Customs Commerce of Industry Sırbistan Başkonsolosu Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade Sivas Chamber of Commerce and Industry 32 The Congress was proudly supported by the following institutions and partners worldwide
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Official Carrier Published in 2007 by International Chamber of Commerce 38, Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, France Tel +33 (0) 1 49 53 28 28 Fax +33 (0) 1 49 53 29 24 Website www.iccwbo.org E-mail [email protected]
ICC Publication No. 844 ISBN 978-92-842-0039-9 Copyright © 2007 International Chamber of Commerce All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or translated in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information and retrieval systems – without written permission of the International Chamber of Commerce. Printed in France Congress hosts
ICC World Chambers Federation The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest, most representative business organization The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in the world. Its hundreds of thousands of member of Turkey (TOBB) is the highest-level entity in Turkey companies in over 130 countries have interests representing the private sector. Through this network, spanning every sector of private enterprise. More TOBB unites 1 300 000 firms from all sectors and than 2 000 experts drawn from ICC’s member regions. companies feed their knowledge and experience into crafting the ICC stance on specific business issues. TOBB is a leading partner of ICC in Turkey, hosting For more information please visit: its national committee. It also actively works with www.iccwbo.org transnational chamber organizations including Eurochambres, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce The World Chambers Federation brings together and Industry, the Association of Mediterranean ICC’s worldwide network of chambers of commerce. Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the It strengthens the links between chambers, enabling Association of Black Sea Zone Chambers of them to exchange experiences and improve Commerce and Industry, ECO Chamber of chamber performance in areas such as finance, Commerce and Industry and the Association of management and the development and promotion of Balkan Chambers. services. www.worldchambersfederation.com www.tobb.org.tr
World Chambers Federation The Union of Chambers International Chamber of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey 38, Cours Albert 1er Atatürk Bulvarı, No: 149 Bakanlıklar, 75008 Paris, France Kızılay, Ankara, Turkey Tel: +33 1 49 53 29 44 Tel: +90 312 413 82 19 Fax: +33 1 49 53 30 79 +90 312 413 82 15 Email: [email protected] Fax: +90 312 417 97 11 +90 312 418 32 68 Email: [email protected]