Business updates

The 11th World Chambers of Congress drew to end in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday 15^th June 2019 following three days of engagement on key issues affecting chambers and their respective business communities.

The MCCI, represented by its President and Secretary General, Mr. Marday Venkatasamy and Mr. Barlen Pillay, respectively, attended the event.

The event concluded with the following takeaways:

1. A sustainable future for all

Chambers and business leaders were urged to join policymakers in the fight against climate change during our day three opening plenary on the Sustainable Developments Goals, by Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba, United Nations Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit

2. Skills for the future

Rethinking education was also in the limelight with a focus on how chambers can play a leading role in developing a dynamic and effective global workforce. The consensus among panel participants was that with limited visibility on what the jobs of the future would be, development of skills for life-long learning such as problem-solving, collaboration, adaptation and creativity were essential.

3. Thinking beyond banks

This last session featured inspirational startup case studies and examined how chambers can engage with next-generation entrepreneurs and companies. “As a company, we have a commitment to financial inclusion,” said Mastercard General Counsel Tim Murphy who said there was a role for ICC and chambers to bring business to the table to communicate private sector messages for creating appropriate regulation.

4. Chamber innovation celebrated

Winners of the 2019 World Chambers Competition were announced during the Congress concluding Gala Dinner. Of 74 entries from 29 countries, 16 finalists were in Rio to present their initiatives to Congress delegates during dedicated workshops covering the three Competition categories: Best Education and Training Project, Best SME and Entrepreneurship Development Project and Best Unconventional Project. Find out who the winners were here.

5. #SeeYouInDubai!

Hassan Al Hashemi, Chair of the World Chambers Congress organising committee of Dubai Chamber, presented a video giving a glimpse into what delegates of the 12th World Chambers Congress can expect in 2021.

Left to right: Mr. Marday Venkatasamy and Mr. Hamad Buamim, Chairperson of the General Council of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation.

Source: ICC WCF