The Tribune

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has been accepted into membership of the prestigious International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The BCCEC, in a statement, said membership would give it access to officials at the heart of some of the world’s most influential intergovernmental bodies, such as the G20 and the United Nations (UN).

I. Chester Cooper, the BCCEC’s chairman, said: “This is a major accomplishment for our organisation and our members.

“It speaks to the high level of engagement and ideals of our association that we should be admitted into this very important body. The Chamber strives to consistently represent Bahamian business worldwide, and is always seeking ways to improve our trade policies and international relations.

“Acceptance into the ICC is one very important step we have taken. It will also be fundamental to the advancement of the Bahamas as an arbitration centre.”

ICC members forge high-level relationships through access to events open to a network of global companies, and receive classified news of developments in international policies that stimulate trade and investments.

Members benefit from an exchange of information that enhances business decisions, and participate in decision-making that shapes best practices for global business.

“The access to training, international conferences and skills building opportunities is invaluable,” said Edison Sumner, the BCCEC’s chief executive.

“As a local Chamber, many of these opportunities would be unaffordable for our members. Being a member of the ICC gives us the chance to learn from international experts and engage in mutually beneficial exchanges with global brands.”

During a recent visit to the ICC in Paris, Mr Sumner met with executives who pledged their full support behind the BCCEC becoming the National Committee for the Bahamas, a process that has already begun.

Mr Sumner also met with Andrea Carlevaris, the secretary general of the International Court of Arbitration, who pledged support for the Bahamas establishing its own International Arbitration Centre for Dispute Resolution.

The ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) was established by the ICC in 1951 to be the advocate of its chamber of commerce members worldwide.

The WCF is a non-political, non-governmental body representing the interests of all local, national, regional, bilateral and transnational chambers of commerce and industry.