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Afghanistan Chamber Elections

Private Sector to Elect Provincial and National Leadership

ACCI CEO Mohammad Qurban HaqjoThe new Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) is preparing the largest ever business community elections in the country. Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, CEO of the national chamber, explained in a meeting on June 6, 2008, that all registered members in 21 provinces will be invited to vote for their delegates to the national ACCI High Council in July, 2008. Voters include members of the former Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), the former Afghan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC), and a large number of business people who were previously not affiliated with either chamber. The former chambers had decided in a March 2008 Joint Assembly to merge both organizations and hold elections as soon as possible.

Fraidoon WatanyarThe national and all provincial chambers of commerce are currently validating their membership lists and accepting new membership applications. Voter lists are being prepared. According to ACCI Membership Director Fraidoon Watanyar, more than 10,000 voters were already registered by June 6, 2008. At the current rate of membership applications and verification, about 12,000 members are expected to cast their votes in July and elect more than 120 delegates for the national High Council. The High Council will then convene in Kabul in August to elect the new Board of Directors of ACCI.

ACCI LogoKey objective of the merger and the elections is the creation of an ACCI High Council that is accepted and supported by a strong majority of the Afghan business community as their leading representative organ, and that is also able to build opinions and make majority decisions internally, to then unanimously advocate these decisions externally.

The ACCI Board of Directors has established an election schedule for the economically active provinces, as well as procedures for the nomination of candidates and the actual voting. Nomination and elections will be free, fair, and transparent. The event will be a unique opportunity to introduce democratic procedures many members are not yet familiar with.

≡ Posted 6 June 2008 ≡ Afghanistan ≡ Comments Off ≡

BMO Workshops in Laos

Income Generation of Chambers and Business Associations

Vientiane WorkshopThe Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and UNIDO held two workshops on income generation of business membership organizations (BMOs) from April 25 through May 2, 2008. The workshops in the capital Vientiane and in Northern Laos’ Oudomxay Province were part of a training series on chamber and association management within the joint UNIDO-UNDP project “Promoting Private Sector Development Through Strengthening of Lao Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Business Associations” in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The LNCCI Board of Directors met in Oudomxay for an internal meeting before opening the first workshop on April 25. President Kissana Vongsay, Vice Presidents Onesy Boutsivongsad, Dr. Sananh Chounlamany, Chantao Pathammavong, Sisanouk Sisombat, Southone Sirisack, Oudet Souvannavong, and Secretary General Khanthavong Dalavong participated in the discussion of income generation potential and new strategies of LNCCI, provincial CCIs, and the other BMOs. Deputy Secretary General Sengdavone Bangolesengdet explained the principles of decision-making and political advocacy of the business community within a strong and united BMO system. CIM Expert Dr. Ramon Bruesseler presented a status report on LNCCI strategy development in 2008. UNIDO Expert Helmut Schoenleber provided background information on international best practice in demand-oriented services for members, the structure of fair membership and service fees, and the optimization of other income.

Oudomxay province had been selected for this first workshop of the series, because the provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the youngest in the country and urgently needs support in capacity building and management. The provincial government underlined its strong interest in the new chamber: Oudomxay Governor Bounphone Buttanavong and Vice Governor Somsy Saybounhuang joined the group after the workshop and promised their continued support for the business community and its chamber.

Leaders and financial managers of LNCCI, five provincial chambers, and seven national business associations participated in the second workshop in Vientiane from April 28 through May 2. Trainers in this workshop were LNCCI Deputy Secretary General Sengdavone Bangolesengdet, accounting and auditing consultant Phonexay Sanasin, and UNIDO’s expert on business membership organizations, Helmut Schoenleber.

≡ Posted 2 May 2008 ≡ Laos ≡ Comments Off ≡

Afghanistan Builds a New Chamber

Business Community Achieves Unity

Assembly in SessionNearly 500 top business community representatives from all provinces of Afghanistan assembled in Kabul on March 9th, 2008, to set a strong signal for private sector development by establishing a new, united Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (new ACCI). They formally confirmed the merger of the two former chambers, the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (former ACCI) and the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (former AICC).

The assembly, chaired by Hakim Malyar, also discussed and agreed on a transitional by-law. The delegates of the private sector elected a temporary Board of Elders to decide on the transitional leadership of the new chamber until democratic elections have been carried out in all provinces. The elders decided to ask the complete Chamber Merger Committee (CMC), that had prepared the assembly, to act as Transitional Board of Directors of the new ACCI. Mahmood Karzai, Chairman of the CMC, will be the Transitional President, and CMC Head of Secretariat, Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, will be the Transitional Chief Executive Officer.

Minister FarhangMinister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Mir Mohammad Amin Farhang, expressed his full support for the new ACCI, but also promised that the government will not get involved in its internal affairs. “The new chamber must represent the democratic decisions of the business community vis-a-vis the public, foreign organizations and businesses, and also vis-a-vis the government”, he told the entrepreneurs. “This chamber is your own house!” He also suggested for the new ACCI to join international chamber organizations such as the Islamic Chambers of Commerce and Industry as soon as possible.

German AmbassadorThe ambassadors of Germany, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt, and of Saudi-Arabia, Said Ghorm Malhan, were honorable guests of the assembly. The USA and Germany have been supporting a strong, efficient, and representative chamber system in Afghanistan for several years. Their development agencies were represented by Zdravko Sami of USAID and Shafic Gawhari of GTZ. The presidents of Afghanistan Investment Support Agency, Omar Zakhilwal, and of the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan, Suleman Fatimie, representatives of international organizations and of the national and international media also participated as observers in the meeting.

The New LeadersThe assembly was a joint session of all elected delegates of the former ACCI and the former AICC, extended by numerous well-known private sector representatives who were previously not affiliated with either chamber. New ACCI President Karzai appreciated the strong engagement of the entire business community. He explained that the CMC was surprised by the enormous interest in the new chamber. “Until the last day before the assembly session, we kept receiving requests of business groups and famous entrepreneurs of all provinces to be included in the new chamber. Of course we are very happy about their interest, and despite our difficulty to organize these last-minute changes, we did not want to turn them down.” In a controversial discussion, regional and sectoral interest groups within the business community had voiced their concern about appropriate representation in the first regularly elected leadership organs of the new chamber.

ACCI CEO HaqjoThe assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the transfer of all property owned by the former chambers to the new ACCI. The former ACCI had used contributions of the business community over decades to acquire considerable assets, which have not yet been returned by the government. The new Board of Directors plans to discuss the issue with Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai within a few days.

The transitional leadership of the new chamber plans to establish election rules and to organize democratic elections for the regional chambers’ boards of directors as soon as possible. Transitional CEO Haqjo confirmed in an interview that he strives to complete the merger of organizational structures and full-time staff of the former ACCI and the former AICC before the first regularly elected Board of Directors takes office. He appealed to the international donor community to continue supporting this effort.

≡ Posted 10 March 2008 ≡ Afghanistan ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Lao National CCI 2008 Annual Congress

Lao Prime Minister Joins BMO Discussion

Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Bouasone Bouphanvanh, joined more than 350 top representatives of the private business community in their discussion about a new legal framework for the business membership organizations (BMOs) of the country. The discussion was key topic of the 2008 Annual Congress of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) on February 1, 2008 in Vientiane. By participating for the first time in a LNCCI Annual Congress, Bouasone underlined the government’s strong consideration for a more rational and effective BMO system under leadership of LNCCI. The event was a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs and business leaders to voice their concerns about specific obstacles to the development of their BMOs, as the Prime Minister listened in the afternoon session to the presidents of LNCCI, twelve provincial chambers of commerce and industry, and sixteen sector associations, before presenting his own viewpoints and recommendations.

PodiumLNCCI President Kissana Vongsay pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOC) already provided his chamber an unprecedented opportunity by authorizing it to draft a new decree on BMOs: “While all previous laws, decrees, and regulations were written by the Lao government, the BMO Decree will be the first to be officially suggested by a non-government organization.” Building a strong, united, democratic, sustainable, and financially independent system of political advocacy for the business community and of high-quality services for the members will be the main objectives of the decree, said Kissana. 350 ParticipantsThe improvement of the legal framework for BMOs in the Lao PDR is one objective of the UNIDO/UNDP joint project on private sector development.

Vice President Onesy Boutsyvongsack presented the LNCCI Board of Directors’ current considerations about the draft’s detailed provisions, and invited all participants to comment. In the morning session of the Annual Congress, the LNCCI members unanimously approved the 2007 annual action report presented by President Kissana, the financial report presented by Vice President and Treasurer Daovone Phachanthavong, and the 2008 action plan presented by Vice President Dr. Sananh Chounlamany. Secretary General Khanthavong Dalavong facilitated the discussions.

≡ Posted 2 February 2008 ≡ Laos ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Symposium on Professional Education in Anhui

The Role of Chambers in Vocational Training

Presentation by Dr. Ralf MeierChina’s Anhui General Chamber of Commerce organized a Sino-German Symposium on Vocational Training on December 12 and 13, 2007 in cooperation with the Sino-German SME Project and the Hefei College of Finance and Economics. More than 50 owners and managers of private training institutions and other educational experts from the whole province participated in the event. After an introduction by Vice Presidents Cao Jianhua and Wu Chenggui, Dr. Ralf Meier, Head of Program Management of the German SEQUA gGmbH explained in his presentation the German dual system and the important role of chambers of commerce and industry as well as chambers of skilled crafts in coordination and administration of vocational training.

Discussion with Dr. Ralf MeierProf. Chen Zhulin of Shanghai’s Tongji-University explained possibilities of applying the German dual system in China. Prof. Su Yan (Hefei Institute of Vocational Training), Prof. Zeng Xianghong (China Computer Science Vocational School), Huang Bangduo (Tongyong Technology School) and Fan Shenping (Anhui Bureau of Labor and Social Security) contributed with their speeches and presentations to a complete overview on the current discussion about improving and modernizing their country’s vocational training system. Their viewpoints and the possible future role of chambers in vocational training were then actively discussed in small groups.
New SchoolDuring his visit of two private schools in the provincial capital of Hefei before the symposium, Dr. Ralf Meier obtained deeper insights into the current situation of vocational education in China. He explained that he was very impressed by the high organizational level of the new private schools. For example, the Hefei College of Finance and Economics just started operations in 2006 and already admitted over 7000 students within less than one year. In discussions with the top management of the schools, he shared his opinion and provided valuable advice in regard to their further development strategy. The students vividly expressed their appreciation of Meier’s visit.

≡ Posted 13 December 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Chamber Management Workshop

Anhui Chamber Administrators Discuss Management Strategies

Group PhotoAbout 40 general secretaries and chiefs of administration of the prefecture and county chambers in Anhui Province met on December 10 and 11, 2007 in Hefei for a workshop on management and services of chambers of commerce. President Li Weihua welcomed all participants and the German experts Dr. Ralf Meier and Helmut Schoenleber of SEQUA, who reported on international best practice in chamber management and work quality standards. All modules of the training program were provided to the Chinese partners. GTZ and SEQUA supported the event within the Sino-German SME Promotion Program.

≡ Posted 13 December 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Workshop for New Chamber Vice Presidents

Anhui Leadership Training

Workshop SessionThe Anhui General Chamber of Commerce (AHGCC) organized the first training workshop for entrepreneurs who were recently elected vice-presidents of all prefectural chambers in the province. The workshop took place on November 23 and 24, 2007 in Hefei, the provincial capital, with 70 participants. Anhui Chamber President Li Weihua and Vice Presidents Cao Jianhua, Yan Anyun and Wu Chenggui held keynote speeches during the workshop. Experts Helmut Schoenleber and Zeng Fanyin explained the principles and guidelines of chamber work and leadership in their presentations.

≡ Posted 24 November 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Afghanistan CRC Chairman Laid to Rest

Business Community Mourns For Arif Zarif

Arif ZarifOne of the most prominent representatives of the Afghanistan business community was among over 70 people killed in a bomb attack in Baghlan on November 6, 2007. Hajji Muhamad Arif Zarif, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber Reform Commission and Member of the National Parliament, was laid to rest in a state ceremony on November 9 in Kabul. Arif Zarif was also Chairman of the parliamentary Economics Committee and owner of several private enterprises. Six of ten members of the Economics Committee were killed in the attack.

The Chamber Reform Commission (CRC), the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC), the Chamber Merger Committee (CMC), and domestic as well as international business membership organizations grieve the loss of an outstanding personality who was strongly yet patiently engaged in uniting and developing the private sector of his country. Arif Zarif devoted much of his time and energy to promote an integrated and independent chamber system for Afghanistan, and he gave his life in a mission to increase public awareness of private sector development projects. All who are left behind are committed to double efforts in achieving his goals and following his visions.

Peace be to his departed spirit!

≡ Posted 10 November 2007 ≡ Afghanistan ≡ Comments Off ≡

Lao Chambers’ Development Strategy

LNCCI to Improve Capacity

Participants Group PictureThe Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) hosted a top-level meeting of the executive committee and provincial chambers, as well as other business associations, on November 2, 2007 in Vientiane. The president of the LNCCI, Kissana Vongsay, said the executive committee discussed plans to improve capacity building of the chamber for the year 2008, to ensure that the entrepreneurs groups and associations benefited as much as possible. He said government officials should work to improve the business environment for entrepreneurs, and help resolve government – related problems of business owners, to ensure that the private sector can help the country’s economic progress. Strengthening the business community in Laos will be the key issue of LNCCI in the year 2008, who is committed to take leadership in business and employers representation.

SessionThe Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also play a part in increasing local incomes, as part of the national socio-economic development process. New entrepreneurs will have the chance to learn more about how to improve their businesses and to ensure they can export their products to international markets, on the same level as experienced entrepreneurs. To implement the new plans, the executive committee will ensure that the national chamber is enshrined in law, rather than being the subject of a Prime Minister Decree. Since 1989, when the Lao National Chamber was established, the number of members has been increasing to 1075, including 25 business associations and 9 provincial chambers. Still it needs to improve services to the members, such as business information, and to attract new members in all business sectors in Laos.

At the closing ceremony, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Nam Viyaket, provided comments on the government’s point of view on the promotion of the business community’s development. According to Viyaket, the government fully supports the movement of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the leader of the business community in Laos. The event was supported by UNIDO and UNDP who were represented by Dr. Kheungkham Keonuchan and Stephane Vigie.

≡ Posted 6 November 2007 ≡ Laos ≡ Comments Off ≡

Workshop on CCI Legal Services

China’s New Labor Law and the Law on Arbitration

Workshop SessionAnhui General Chamber of Commerce (AHGCC) organized a workshop with private entrepreneurs to exchange information and opinions on the new Labor Contract Law and the Arbitration Law of China. Nearly 100 entrepreneurs attended the workshop in Hefei on October 29 and 30, 2007. The German development cooperation agencies GTZ and SEQUA supported the event within the Sino-German SME Promotion Program.

Opening SpeechesChamber President Prof. Li Weihua pointed out the impact on labor cost in China that is expected from the new Labor Contract Law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2008. The labor law expert of Anhui University, Dr. Li Kungang provided details on the requirements of the new law and compared it with similar laws of Germany, Japan, France, and the USA. The Secretary General of the Hefei Arbitration Commission, Li Jiale held a presentation on the Arbitration Law and its implementation in Anhui province. Experts and participants discussed the implications of both laws in small groups.

≡ Posted 1 November 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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CCI Organizational Structure

First Workshop with New Chamber Leaders

Opening Speeches

The entire newly elected leadership of Anhui General Chamber of Commerce (AHGCC) actively participated in a workshop on the organizational structure of chambers of commerce which was carried out in the city of Ningguo from October 25 to 27, 2007 with 68 participants from all over the province. GTZ and SEQUA supported the event. Li Weihua, new president of the provincial chamber, explained in his opening speech the organizational and political milestones the new presidium intends to discuss with the prefectural and county chambers as well as the governments on all levels. According to Li, a suitable legal framework needs to be created for the work of the chambers.

First Vice President Cao Jianhua and Vice President Yan Anyun pointed out the growing acknowledgement of the importance of chambers of commerce in representing private sector interests. This role had just been reconfirmed by the recent party congress in Beijing. To master the new tasks, the Anhui Chamber wants to adjust organizational and process structures according to international standards and scientific methods.

≡ Posted 27 October 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Merger of Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce

Private Sector to Speak With One Voice

HandshakeA joint committee of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) has, in a Kabul meeting on October 7, 2007, paved way for a merger between the two organizations to form a new, stronger, and united national chamber of commerce to represent the entire private sector of the country. Their elected top leaders, President Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Yaylaqi of ACCI and Chairman Azarakhsh Hafizi of AICC, signed a joint declaration on the merger at the meeting.

Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Amin Farhang, expressed his full support and his appreciation of a united voice for the private sector. “This will significantly speed up the economic progress of our country and reduce confusion among private entrepreneurs and traders”, he said at a press conference. “A modern, member-oriented chamber can play an important role in services for the enterprises and influence political decision-making. Of course, it also makes our life in the government easier, if we only need to talk to one partner who represents the balanced interest of the private sector.” According to Farhang, a new, liberal chamber law can now be ratified much faster than without the merger.

SigningTwo main sponsors of economic development in Afghanistan, USAID and GTZ, support the concept of the merger of the two chambers. They were represented by the Director of the Office Economic Growth, USAID, Donnie Harrington, and the Acting Head of Sustainable Economic Development Program (NaWi) of GTZ, Shafic Gawhari. More than 70 national and international journalists, leading representatives of both chambers, private entrepreneurs, politicians, and members of the international community in Kabul observed the event.

The Chairman of the recently established Chamber Merger Committee, Mahmood Karzai, brother of Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai, declared that the CMC will work towards ensuring that the combined chamber introduces best practices such as a democratic election process, by-laws giving power to the members, external auditor to audit accounts, and a democratic and accountable board.

Merger 1He also provided further details on the decisions of the meeting. “We expect the first session of the founding assembly for the new chamber to take place as soon as November 24th. During that session, we want private sector representatives of all regions and sectors to discuss and adopt our new by-laws and to elect the new leadership. The new chamber can then start full operations before the end of the year.” Karzai had just been elected Chairman of the Committee on October 4th, with Khan Jan Alokozai and Azarakhsh Hafizi as Vice Chairmen and Mohammad Haqjo as Head of Secretariat.

Responding to a question of the Ariana TV correspondent, Chamber Reform Commission Chairman Arif Zarif explained that the restructuring of the chamber’s full-time staff organization will be a major task of the new CMC. “A socially acceptable solution for the reduction of employees must be found,” said Zarif who is also Chairman of the Economics Committee of the National Assembly, Afghanistan’s parliament.

Joint Declaration on Merger

ParticipantsWith the objective to establish a strong and united business membership organization representing the entire private sector of Afghanistan, and to build a platform for the self-administration of the business community of Afghanistan, the leading elected organs of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) have, after careful consideration and friendly negotiations and in close consultations with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, decided to merge both organizations into one national Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan.

Under guidance of the Chamber Reform Commission (CRC), ACCI and AICC have established a Chamber Merger Committee (CMC) to prepare and implement the merger process. The CMC is composed of seven leading representatives of ACCI, seven leading representatives of AICC, and one impartial Head of Secretariat.

The CMC has unanimously elected Mr. Mahmood Karzai as its Chairman, Mr. Khan Jan Alokozai and Mr. Azarakhsh Hafizi as its Vice Chairmen, and Mr. Mohammad Haqjo as its Head of Secretariat.

Kabul, October 7, 2007

Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Yaylaqi
President of ACCI

Azarakhsh Hafizi
Chairman of AICC

Confirmed:

Dr. Amin Farhang
Minister of Commerce and Industry

Arif Zarif
Chairman of CRC

Press Release in PDF Format

≡ Posted 7 October 2007 ≡ Afghanistan ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Chamber Best-Practice Mission to Europe

New CCI Leadership Joins Entrepreneurs’ Delegation

Discussion with SEQUAThe newly elected leaders of chambers of commerce and industry (CCI) in the Chinese province of Anhui had the opportunity to better understand the daily work of their colleagues in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and France during a fact-finding mission from September 16 to 26, 2007. SEQUA gGmbH organized the mission within the Sino-German SME Project. A number of member entrepreneurs of the Chinese chambers accompanied the elected and full-time leaders.

At Darmstadt CCI, Martin Proba, Sonja Müller and Jens-Uwe Lalk informed the group about CCI sector development policies, using the Automotive Cluster Rhein-Main-Neckar as an example, and about CCI international work, using the China Competence Center of Darmstadt and Frankfurt CCI as the other example.

The group travelled to Bonn on the same day, to learn about chamber models world wide and about the structure and work of the leading German business membership organizations. Dr. Ralf Meier of SEQUA gGmbH presented this introduction. SEQUA shareholders are Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Association of German Chambers of Skilled Crafts, der Federation of German Industry, and Federation of German Employers Associations. SEQUA implements projects to support capacity building in business membership organizations (BMO) in numerous developing countries.

Wouter Van Gulck, Belgium Federation of CCIIn Bruxelles, General Manager Wouter Van Gulck of the Belgium Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry presented the structure of his chambers. Different from their neighboring countries, Belgian CCI are based on voluntary membership. Van Gulck also provided the opportunity of discussions with representatives of the Bruxelles City Chamber and the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. His Chinese guests were surprised to find the economic clout of regional root chambers such as Bruxelles and East Flanders stronger than the national “headquarters”.

Georges Fischer, CCIPFollowing a briefing on the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris by Hélène Kolmodin, Georges Fischer introduced both the World Chambers Federation, and the work, structures and strategies of the Paris City CCI. He also explained the latest developments of a virtual chamber: “CCIP in a de-materialized world”. Delegation leader Yan Anyun found similarities between French and Chinese CCI, both closely linked with the state organs.

Back in Germany, the group visited the largest CCI in number of members, the Munich and Upper Bavaria IHK. Johannes Huber and Christine von Nell provided insights to typical chamber tasks and how to achieve them. They showed examples on the chamber’s facilitating of members’ business contacts with companies abroad - including in China. Huber handed a CD-ROM with an enterprise database “Key Technologies in Bavaria” to each visitor, and encouraged the entrepreneurs from Anhui to take initiative contacting them.

Wirtschaftskammer Tirol PresentationThe mission was completed with an outline of the Austrian chamber structure, provided by Gregor Leitner of the Wirtschaftskammer Tirol in Innsbruck. He explained the organization and legal framework of his CCI as well as some differences to the German CCI: (1) in Austria, “Economic Chambers” include industry, commerce, and skilled crafts; (2) they represent employers’ interests in negotiations with the labor unions on tariff contracts.

The project is preparing a follow-up symposium on CCI management and structure for the new generation of leaders in Anhui, scheduled for December 10 and 11, 2007, in Hefei. Topics will include practical management tools, time management, media relations, quality management, team leadership, and more. Two Anhui workshops on building sectoral chambers and chamber legal services are scheduled in October, 2007.

≡ Posted 30 September 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Statistics: A Key Task of Chambers

Provincial Meeting on Chambers’ Statistics Work

Dr. Yan ChenAnhui General Chamber of Commerce organized a workshop with regional chamber statistics specialists on August 15 and 16, 2007 in the provincial capital of Hefei. Chamber president Wang Heling, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Anhui People’s Political Consultative Conference, opened the event on Wednesday, stressing the importance of statistics as one of the core tasks of chamber work. He asked the 46 participants to increase efficiency and reliability in their work by using more consistent and scientific methods.

Group PictureDr. Yan Chen, leader of the Anhui Provincial Economic Commission, held a keynote speech on the latest developments of the private sector in Anhui and its role in the new industrialization strategy of the provincial government. Section leader Gao Bozhou of the Anhui Provincial Statistics Office explained the calculation of private sector data within the GDP, pointed out some definition traps, and gave hints on how to avoid them. Project expert Helmut Schoenleber encouraged the participants to complete and update their membership database as a main source of statistical data about the private sector. The workshop aimed at improving the statistical work of prefectural and county chambers, and was supported by SEQUA and GTZ within the German-Chinese SME Promotion Program.

≡ Posted 15 August 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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IT Workshop in Anhui

Chambers’ Web Services for SMEs

Group DiscussionIT and website development specialists of the prefecture and county chambers in the Chinese province of Anhui met for a two-day workshop on strategies to improve online services for small and medium-sized enterprises and on the organization of chambers’ IT work in general. The workshop on August 13 and 14, 2007 in the city of Chaohu was organized by the Anhui General Chamber of Commerce with support of SEQUA and GTZ.
Group PictureThe IT expert of the national chamber ACFIC, Li Shanhai, presented the latest plans and procedural recommendations from Beijing. Internet services of the provincial chamber and plans for their improvement were presented by Zhang Zhihui, head of the IT department. Wang Wei, technical manager of Anhui Anlian Science & Technology Co., Ltd. explained the development of the web-based economy in Anhui province, and project expert Helmut Schönleber informed the 45 participants about organization and quality standards of chamber IT work in Germany as well as international models of BMO support services provided by leading chambers for their institutional member chambers in the regions.

≡ Posted 15 August 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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First SME Cluster Symposium in Anhui

China Develops Industry Clusters

Opening of SymposiumIn cooperation with the German development agency GTZ, the Anhui Provincial Economic Commission carried out the First International Symposium on Industry Clusters from August 8 through 10, 2007. The event was opened by Vice-Governor Huang Haisong and GTZ Program Executive Dr. Juergen Steiger.

ParticipantsAround 240 Chinese cluster specialists discussed cluster theories, development strategies, sucessful examples, and cluster management with the German experts Godehard Neumann, Bernd Hackler and Helmut Schönleber. The Wuhu Automotive Cluster, home of China’s leading car exporter Chery, was explored as a model candidate for cluster formation in the country.

≡ Posted 8 August 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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SME Rating Mission

Text available in German or Chinese.

≡ Posted 5 August 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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International Symposium on SME 2007

China’s Approach to SME Promotion through Public-Private Dialogue

Opening of the SymposiumThe National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Anhui Provincial Government and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) have jointly organized an International Symposium on SME Promotion: “China’s Approach to SME Promotion through Public-Private Dialogue on Policy, Strategies and Developing Models”. The symposium was held on June 29th and 30th 2007 in Hefei, Anhui Province, PR China.

Plenary DiscussionAs a result of the NDRC announced program for the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises which sought to develop and establish a co-operative business environment for SME in China, Anhui Province presented the new tested models of cooperation and promotion of industrial locations.

The symposium provided a forum to discuss international policy approaches in the field of SME Promotion especially on public-private cooperation and to share knowledge and experiences from Anhui Province. In three plenary sessions and three interactive workshops, the following major topics were addressed:

Interview with Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer

  • SME Policy and Business Environment
  • Business Development through Modern Regional Strategies
  • Business Development Services (BDS) and Development of Chambers and Associations

More than 350 participants attended the event, including high-ranking government officials from the Anhui Provincial Government, representatives of international organizations as well as German and international experts and renowned experts and scholars from research institutes and academies. National and regional media reported extensively on the event.
Group Photo

≡ Posted 1 July 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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China Business Times Interview

Draft Law on Sector Associations

China Business Times

China’s Draft Law on Sector Associations and Chambers has been discussed during the March plenary sessions of the National People’s Congress and the People’s Political Consultative Conference, but the legislative bodies failed to reach an early consensus. On April 5, 2007, the nation-wide newspaper “China Business Times” published the second part of an interview with the German expert Helmut Schoenleber who stressed the importance of non-government business membership organizations (BMO) for the healthy development of private enterprises. According to the expert, the country needs a fair BMO law protecting the interests of members and aiming for a wider self-administration of the private business community. For drafting the BMO law, legislators should not only consider the economic situation, national characteristics, demands of enterprises, and related laws and regulations of other countries, but they also need a fair portion of creativity.

≡ Posted 5 April 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Hefei City Experts Hearing

Hefei City to Expand Community Based Service System

Expert Hearing Hefei

The municipal government of eastern China’s city of 4 million, Hefei, capital of Anhui province, wants to improve the service system for small and medium-sized enterprises. On March 26, 2007, German GTZ organized a half-day expert hearing for leaders of the city’s economic commission and the municipal SME service center. Meng Xunzhi, director of GTZ Anhui office, and SEQUA-Expert Helmut Schoenleber participated and introduced SME service systems in western developed countries, which are largely based on the private business community and its membership organizations.

≡ Posted 26 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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SME Human Resources Workshop

Text available in German or Chinese.

≡ Posted 25 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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German Top Expert on Corporate Identity in Anhui

Frank Merkel Met Chinese Private Entrepreneurs

Frank MerkelOne of Germany’s well-known experts on corporate identity has accepted an invitation by SEQUA to introduce international best-practice models on branding and establishing a corporate image to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SME) during a symposium in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui.

Frank Merkel, founder and CEO of wob AG, held a presentation and participated in discussions in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, from March 19 to 21, 2007. The symposium was organized by the Anhui General Chamber of Commerce (AHGCC) and the Anhui Association of Private Economy, and supported by the German technical assistance organizations GTZ and SEQUA. The event aimed at providing guidance to owners of Chinese SME in developing their own brand strategy, at improving their conscience in corporate social responsibility, but also at assisting chambers of commerce and business associations in organizing high quality management training for their members.

World-famous brand enterprises such as BASF, Bosch, Heidelberg, Henkel, Hoffmann Group, Hyundai, John Deere, Mercedes-Benz und SAP are among the customers of wob AG. But Merkel has also successfully assisted many SME in developing their corporate identity.

≡ Posted 24 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Chamber Workshop on Foreign Trade

Text available in German or Chinese.

≡ Posted 23 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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Interview with German BMO Expert

Text available in German or Chinese.

≡ Posted 22 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡
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German-Chinese Symposium on Enterpreneurship Development

Text available in German or Chinese.

≡ Posted 1 March 2007 ≡ China ≡ Comments Off ≡