Brief History
The International Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IUBCCI) was founded in 2012 with the occasion of the International Conference of the Bi-National Chambers of Commerce held in Tel Aviv, Israel. The conference, organized by the Israeli Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, invited all presidents and leaders of the bilateral chambers of commerce in the world to gather and participate.
The event had a great contribution to the history of IUBCCI, there being launched the idea of establishing a new global organization to bring together under the same umbrella all the bilateral chambers of commerce in the world, and their Unions, Federations and Joint Business Councils. The stated purpose was “to foster the development of the business diplomacy concept, to defend the interests of all the bilateral chambers of commerce and industry, and to promote the understanding of different mentalities and environments of business, all over the world.” This idea was not only welcomed but also embraced by those who are now forming IUBCCI.
As a direct follow-on from the event and to safeguard and formalize this new entity, were drafted and signed two documents: a Memorandum of Understanding and a Resolution of Establishment. The founders were the Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce from Romania and the Israeli Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, organizations that have both dozens of bilateral chambers of commerce as their members.
The initial name of IUBCCI as reflected in the initiating acts was however “The World Union of National Organisation of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry” (WUNOBCCI). With the official incorporation, the name of the organization was changed in International Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
For two years, the Founding Committee held numerous discussions on the formal incorporation of the newly formed entity, the debate being that the perfect location for its legal incorporation had to be found. No country or city in the world has not been taken into account, and in January 2014 it was decided that the location of such an entity should be in the United States of America.
The legal incorporation of the entity in the United States of America turns IUBCCI into an organization that provides an additional guarantee in respecting the rights of all its members and a real possibility to consider themselves, anywhere in the world, at home.
IUBCCI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization established in Pennsylvania, the place where the first state constitution following the Declaration of Independence was adopted and which has been described as the most democratic in America.
Today, IUBCCI is the world’s largest non-profit organization of the bi-national (bilateral) chambers of commerce and industry and all of their Unions, Federations or Joint Business Councils dedicated to fostering the promotion of bilateral trade and commerce, and the exchange of culture and humanity through means of economic diplomacy. The entity is organized exclusively for the purposes specified in Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
IUBCCI connects closely with the diplomatic community to facilitate collaboration between their countries and the U.S. public and private sector leaders to further a common economic interest and cooperate on solutions for the global economy and security.
For several years now, the IUBCCI has established partnerships and programs with the diplomatic corps from different countries and other NGOs that range from global economic diplomacy forums to timely discussions on international trade agreements, advancing economic stability through religious freedom and human rights, and other actual pressing issues across the globe.
The Chamber of Commerce system
A chamber of commerce is an association or network of businesspeople designed to promote and protect the interests of its members. According to the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(6), in the United States the chambers of commerce are exempt organizations that usually promote the common economic interests of all the commercial enterprises in a given trade community. In many European countries, the chambers of commerce and their establishment is regulated by law. In Germany, for example, all German companies registered in Germany are required by law to join a chamber of commerce.
Traditionally, depending on the area of coverage, the chamber of commerce system worldwide included:
– city, regional and local levels chambers of commerce representing the interests of the businesses in that area (eg: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce; Chicago Chamber of Commerce)
– national chambers, representing the interests of all businesses in a specific country (eg: US Chamber of Commerce; The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania);
– bi-national or bilateral chambers of commerce, representing the business communities of two countries or two distinct foreign regions (eg: Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce; Binational Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria-Israel).
– Unions, Federations or Joint Business Councils of bilateral chambers of commerce, existing only in some countries and protecting the interests of all the bilateral/bi-national chambers of commerce in that region/country (eg. The Israeli Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce and Industry).
Therefore, up until 2012, all the local and regional chambers of commerce were gathered under the umbrella of the National Chamber of each country, while only some countries had Unions or Federations established for the gathering of all bilateral chambers of commerce.
IUBCCI was created as the biggest umbrella of all the bilateral chambers of commerce and all of their Unions, Federations and Joint Business Councils, in an effort to build an unified organization of all these entities and to provide a form of business network, an international organization of business cooperation whose purpose is to further a worldwide common economic interest and develop the opportunities offered by the Global Economy.
The bilateral chambers of commerce that achieve IUBCCI accreditation as members set an example as well-run organizations effectively serving their countries.
Members
The members of IUBCCI are the bi-national (bilateral) chambers of commerce and industry and all of their Unions, Federations, Joint Business Councils, as well as all their national organizations in the world.
IUBCCI provides no membership for business enterprises, but collaborates with them through strategic partnerships and by providing them with a secure business network and tools for success.
47
COUNTRIES
50
BILATERAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
19
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Strategic Partners
IUBCCI partners are those local or international companies that are worthy of being internationally recommended and whose products / services are of great quality. The strategic partners of IUBCCI are trusted brands holders of the Trust Mark seal.
The World Congress of Bilateral Economic Diplomacy
IUBCCI organizes the World Congress of Bilateral Economic & Commercial Diplomacy. The Congress brings together all members of IUBCCI as well as diplomats, government officials, leaders of international organizations and businessmen to engage in dialogue to find solutions on strengthening the economic and diplomatic relations between countries and promote good governance in order to achieve a global economic harmony.
The 1st World Congress of Bilateral Economic Diplomacy took place on September 30, 2015. The event enjoyed the presence of representatives from more than 45 Embassies, domestic and international senior officials, as well as numerous representatives of bilateral chambers of commerce worldwide.
The panel of the Congress brought together for discussions H.E. Ms. Tamar Samash, Ambassador of Israel in Romania, H.E. Mr. Teofil Bauer, Ambassador of Ukraine in Romania, H.E. Mr. Ilia Giorgadze, Ambassador of Georgia in Romania, H.E. Mr. Osman Koray Ertaş, Ambassador of Turkey in Romania and the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and President of IUBCCI.
Government officials sent their messages of appreciation and accolades which were publicly read to the Congress participants. They included the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the Prime Minister of Romania Victor Ponta.
The 2nd World Congress of Bilateral Economic & Commercial Diplomacy
The 2nd World Congress of Bilateral Economic & Commercial Diplomacy took place on October 15, 2018.
Diplomats from more than 30 nations, joined by local government officials, presidents of bilateral chambers of commerce, leaders of international organizations and businessmen, gathered in an anniversary session in honor of the Centennial celebration of many European countries.
The event was held at Hotel Casa Capsa, a luxurious hotel featuring sparkling chandeliers and baroque furnishing, in the heart of Bucharest, Romania.
President of IUBCCI Manuel Oancia started the session of the Congress with opening remarks, welcoming the distinguished guests. He highlighted some key changes that IUBCCI implemented in the past years, starting with the publication of the 4th edition of the Global Ambassador’s Journal, the upgrade of all the asset websites, and the acceptance of IUBCCI in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
It followed the remarks of Chairman of IUBCCI PhD Prof. Vladoiu and other panelists: Ambassador of Ukraine in Romania Mr. Oleksandr Bankov; President of the Committee for Budget, Finance, and Banks from Romania, Mr. Marius Budai; the Founder & CEO of British Blockchain Advisory Council, Mr. Mru Patel.
Phd. Prof. Nasty Vladoiu, Chairman of IUBCCI commented, “The bilateral chambers of commerce are important as non-governmental actors, but they are the official voice of the business community.” He continued, “IUBCCI brings all of them together in the idea of providing a worldwide secure business environment through commercial diplomacy.”
