Uganda shines in Doha, Qatar during the 8th World Chambers Congress

By Mike Nsereko

Uganda’s star shone bright at the just concluded 8th World Chambers Congress that was organised by the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Chambers Federation together with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

The Congress that was organized under the theme “Opportunities for all” took place in Doha, Qatar on April 22 - 25, 2013. It was the first to be organised in the Middle East. The Gulf State of Qatar was a beehive of activity as over 2,000 delegates from 143 countries across the world descended on its territory for the congress that is held once every two years.

The Congress which was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent to the throne of the State of Qatar, was held at the magnificent Qatar National Convention Center located on the outskirts of Doha City. The major purpose of the World Chambers Congress is to bring together world leaders in business from all over the world to share best-practice experiences, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities, and learn about new areas of innovation from their peers. There is also an exhibition in which countries show case their potential in terms of products and services. The 8th WCC attracted over 12,000 chambers of commerce across the world.

UNNCI President receiving a gift from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, the Chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the active participation in ICC WCF activities.

During the 8th World Chambers Congress, Uganda was represented by a powerful delegation led by the President of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also the Vice President of the World Chambers Federation, Mrs. Olive Kigongo. To note is that Uganda was the only country in Africa that was allocated a stall in the exhibition area during the congress. This gave the country an opportunity to be the only African country to show case its potential to the whole world that was gathered for the congress. In fact, Uganda’s stall which exhibited a number of Ugandan products including Star coffee, art and crafts, pine apples, literature on Uganda, e.t.c. was one of the busiest amongst all exhibitors. It is little wonder therefore that at the closure of the Congress, Uganda’s stall was hailed as having been one of the best.

During the congress, various chambers of commerce from across the world competed for best projects in various categories including best corporate social responsibility project; best international project; best small business project; best unconventional project; and best youth entrepreneurship project. The President of UNCCI by virtue of her position as the Vice President of WCF was a moderator of the session on “Best Youth Entrepreneurship Project”. The session reviewed five projects that were presented by five chambers of commerce and industry from various parts of the world with an aim of choosing the best. The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry emerged winner of this category.
UNCCI also used the opportunity of the congress to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The intention of the MoU is to promote trade relations between Uganda and Macedonia.

Visitors at Uganda’s stall during the 7^th WCC

A meeting of the General Assembly of the ICC WCF was held at the closure of the congress. The meeting proposed that due to the active participation and enthusiasm of UNCCI, Uganda would be considered to host the General Assembly for its first meeting of year 2014. This is no mean achievement given that this meeting has never been held in Africa. The proposal was welcomed by the Ugandan delegation who, through the President of UNCCI, gave assurance to the delegates that Uganda would be delighted to host the meeting and that the country would do its best to organize it successfully .

At the closing function, UNCCI was commended for its active participation in ICC and WCF activities and for its enthusiasm to market Uganda and show case its potential to the world.

Finally, on the sidelines of the congress, chambers of commerce from across Sub Saharan Africa had a meeting. The meeting was intended to nominate one of the chambers to act as the coordinating chamber for all chambers in Sub Saharan Africa on matters of the ICC and WCF. This is the model that is being used in other continents. UNCCI was nominated but the matter will be concluded in the next meeting of all Sub Saharan Africa Chambers of Commerce at a date to be agreed upon.

The 8th WCC was a huge success. We will be building on this success when we next meet for the 9th WCC in Torino, Italy.

The writer the Head of Trade and Policy Research

Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI)