Opening
Sydney – The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) successfully held the 31st CACCI Conference on September 18-21, 2017 in Sydney, Australia in conjunction with the 10th World Chambers Congress jointly organized by the ICC World Chambers Federation and the Sydney Business Chamber, with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as partner organization.
The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) successfully held its 31st CACCI Conference in Sydney, Australia in conjunction with the 10th World Chambers Congress jointly organized by the ICC World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) and the Sydney Business Chamber (SBC) on September 18-21, 2017. The CACCI Conference drew the participation of over 200 delegates composed largely of businessmen and chamber of commerce representatives from some 20 countries, led by CACCI President Mr. Jemal Inaishvili from Georgia.
With the newly completed International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) as venue, the 31st CACCI Conference provided delegates many valuable learning and networking opportunities, including the following:
- Roundtable Discussions on 6 Product and Service Councils: (a) Asian Council on Water, Energy & Environment, (b) Asian Council on Food and Agriculture, (c) Asian ICT Council, (d) Asian Council on Trade Facilitation, (e) Asian Council on Health and Education, (f) SME Development Council.
- Discover Business Opportunities Through CACCI
- 88th CACCI Council Meeting
- 10TH World Chambers Congress
CACCI President Mr. Jemal Inaishvili was one of the speakers at the Opening Ceremony of the Congress. In his Welcome Remarks, Mr. Inaishvili said that the Sydney gathering was significant as it marked the first time that CACCI was holding its annual Conference in conjunction with the World Chambers Congress. He pointed out that the joint event manifests the mutual understanding and great partnership between and among CACCI, the ICC World Chambers Federation, and the Sydney Business Chamber, and is certainly good for their respective members. “It creates a positive experience for all sides and creates new dimension in their relationships, and certainly constitutes a positive step towards keeping economic prosperity in the region. Attendance in the joint event by members of our three organizations certainly increases the value of their participation,” Mr. Inaishvili remarked.
The CACCI President added that as a Strategic Regional Partner of this year’s 10th World Chambers Congress, the Confederation has been placed in an important position to connect its members with the other Congress delegates and explore business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Members are therefore able to take full advantage of the current opportunities offered not just by markets in the Asia-Pacific region but by countries in other parts of the world as well, thereby enabling them to grow beyond the domestic borders and into the global market, Mr. Inaishvili explained.
Also gracing the Opening Ceremony of the Congress were Ms. Gladys Berejiklian, New South Wales Premier; Mr. Peter Mihok, Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation; Mr. John Denton, First Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. Stephen Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Business Chambers.
The three-day Congress also provided delegates the environment to network and explore new business opportunities. With both formal and informal occasions to develop ties, the Congress served as the ideal place to establish institutional ties and promote trade and investment opportunities from attending companies, countries and regions. The exhibition area also provided the venue for delegates to connect with other delegates, speakers and sponsors in between sessions, and to mingle with business leaders from around the world. CACCI was given one booth in which it displayed materials promoting the Confederation.
The Congress also hosted the World Chambers Competition, which recognised the best projects developed by chambers of commerce around the world. This was an excellent opportunity for chambers worldwide to showcase their innovations. CACCI President Mr. Jemal Inaishvili and CACCI SME Development Council Chairman Mr. George Abraham accepted the invitation to take part in the judging process of the 2017 World Chambers Competition.
After a thorough assessment by a prominent and experienced jury, four finalists were chosen from each of the four categories to join their peers in Sydney during the 10th World Chambers Congress and present their initiatives live. The four categories featured this year were: Best CSR project, Best job creation and business development project, Best unconventional project, and best education and training project. Mr. Inaishvili was assigned to judge the Best job creation and business development project, and Mr. Abraham evaluated entries for the Best unconventional project. Two other CACCI officers – CACCI President Emeritus Mr. K. K. Modi and CACCI Vice President Mr. PeterMcMullin – were invited to present the Awards to the winners of two categories at the Gala Dinner on September 21.
As a Strategic Regional Partner of the 10th World Chambers Congress, CACCI was placed in an important position to connect Congress delegates with business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, with over 1,000 international delegates coming from over 110 countries and territories.
