Seize opportunities to assert leadership, WCF Vice-Chair tells Beijing chambers conference

The second edition of the event organized by the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce – also known as the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Sub-Council, or CCPIT Beijing – took place on 12-13 September 2013.

For two days, chamber representatives discussed how they could build a more open and efficient network of chambers of commerce as well as the role of chambers in world economic development.

Mr Sanghi called on chambers to seize opportunities to assert their leadership, to extend and deepen their networks of cooperation – both real and virtual – and to promote the benefits of free trade, open markets and deregulation domestically.

“It is imperative that chambers’ immediate task is not only to educate and raise awareness of the most pressing issues for business among their stakeholders but also to build up an agenda for action by the global community by leveraging their relationship with ICC and WCF; and, in turn, feed input into international forums, including the G8 and the G20,” he said.

Mr Sanghi went on to share his vision of the role of chambers in promoting world economic development, which he said could be driven and captured by what he described as “four Es” – entitlement, empowerment, enhancement and  envisioning. These he said, were crucial building blocks, not just to ensure the credibility and survival of chambers, but also to establish their status and position in defining and progressively driving their role in world economic development.

In-line with its mission to “search to create ties and showcase the best practice and expertise of chambers of commerce,” WCF was proud to support the international conference.

“Chambers of commerce must remain the instrument of collective thinking and action of the stakeholders they represent; and promote their goals and aspirations,” Mr Sanghi concluded.

For more information visit the ICC World Chambers Federation and BICCC