World Chambers Competition announces record number of finalists

The 2013 Competition received entries from 65 chambers of commerce and industry from 42 countries applying under the following categories: 

• Best corporate social
  responsibility project
• Best international
  project
• Best small business
  project
• Best unconventional
  project
• Best youth
  entrepreneurship project

The selected finalists will present their projects during the ICC WCF 8th World Chambers Congress in Doha, 22-25 April 2013. The Congress, hosted in 2013 by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is the only forum open to the global community of over 12,000 chambers of commerce.

“It was great to see such a high standard and variety of applications to the 2013 World Chambers Competition,” said Gina Quin, Chief Executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. “In particular, it is very welcoming to see the very wide range of initiatives by local chambers dedicated to helping businesses and entrepreneurs succeed in their local business environments. There is much for us all to learn from in this process.”

Headed by WCF Honorary Chair Rona Yircali the Competition jury comprises 40 judges, representing transnational, national and local chambers of commerce as well as former winners of the competition.

“With such a wide variety of projects, from so many different chambers in the world, there is no doubt on the value of the competition to our global chamber of commerce community,” said Mr Yircali. “As such, I am most honoured to be the chair of this year’s jury and look forward to seeing the finalists present their latest innovations and projects in Doha.”

Anthony Parkes, WCF Director said: “The rise in the number of entries received and the increasing quality of the projects submitted are a clear sign of the Competition’s growing prestige. The addition of a new category also contributed to this year’s record number of Competition finalists.”

The 2013 World Chambers Competition finalists are:

Best international project 

•  Ankara Chamber of Commerce  (Turkey)
•  Bristol Chamber of Commerce  (United Kingdom)
•  China Chamber of International Commerce  (China)
•  Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Slovakia)
•  Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture  (Tanzania)

Best small business project

•  Ceylon Chamber of Commerce  (Sri Lanka)
•  Chamber of Commerce of Lima  (Peru)
•  Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Philippines)
•  Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Philippines)
•  NSW Business Chamber  (Australia)

Best unconventional project

•  Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia  (Slovenia)
•  Finland Chamber of Commerce  (Finland)
•  Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce  (United States)
•  Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Korea)
•  Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Germany)

Best youth entrepreneurship project

•  Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Estonia)
•  Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry  (Pakistan)
•  Istanbul Chamber of Commerce  (Turkey)
•  Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (South Africa)
•  South Australian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (Australia)

ICC WCF would like to thank all chambers who submitted applications for the 2013 World Chambers Competition.

For further information on the competition and details on the projects, please visit the 2013 World Chambers Competition.

For more information on the Congress visit the ICC WCF 8th World Chamber Congress.

Within the framework of the 8th World
Chambers Congress, ICC and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host
a high-level business summit.