THE Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Zeph Ndlovu and the CEO, Dumile Cele were part of the South African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) contingent at the 9th Bi-annual International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), World Chambers Federation Congress which took place in Torino, Italy from 10 to 12 June.
The delegation was led by the SACCI President, Vusi Khumalo. Durban was once again recognised for having been the host city for the 4th World Chambers Congress in 2007.
The World Chambers Congress brings chamber leadership from around the world together under the banner of the ICC WCF to discuss issues of global trade as a driver of growth, job creation and sustainability. The conference agenda items aimed at getting to the heart of matters affecting chambers, entrepreneurs and society in general were drawn from the theme of Community, Identity and Global Vision.
The session is also used for business to consolidate contributions for the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) trade negotiations under the B20, the business component of the G20, currently chaired by Turkey and led by Ambassador Rifat Hisarcikioglu.
The next round of the WTO negotiations will be in Kenya in November 2015. South Africa is preparing to have its own consultation phase for B20 input in September this year alongside the SACCI Annual Convention, to be held in Johannesburg. The Durban Chamber will solicit input from the business community prior to this meeting to ensure that local business sentiment is adequately represented within the national position and as such brought to the WTO trade negotiations.
Also focusing on the needs of SMEs, the Congress programme was designed to equip chambers with the knowledge, skills and know-how needed to support their businesses, to foster sustainable economic development and trade. From operations, doing business, finance, digitalization and innovation, the congress delivered value for everyone.
The last evening culminated in the recognition of the winning projects for the 2015 edition of the World Chambers Competition which includes: best policy project; best job creation and business development project; best unconventional project and best corporate social responsibility project.
Dumile Cele was one of the presenters at this auspicious Gala Dinner held at the Royal Palace of Venaria, Italy.
The Durban Chamber aims to continue being the voice of business not only locally but nationally and internationally.
