World Chambers Congress To Be Held In Istanbul In July

Organised by ICC's (International Chamber of Commerce) World Chambers Federation (WCF) every two years in different regions of the world, the World Chambers Congress is the only international forum for executives of over 12,000 chambers worldwide to share best-practice experience, develop networks and learn about new areas of innovation from other chambers as they face the challenge of remaining relevant to companies in their region. The World Chambers Congress has established an enviable reputation as the place where chamber and business leaders get to know international peers and share experience and best practice on grassroots issues that have a direct impact on the chamber of commerce community.

More than 800 business leaders from some 100 countries will convene for the biennial event. During the Congress Turkey will promote trade and investment opportunities within the country. The Fifth World Chambers Congress will constitute an exclusive platform providing the occasion to assess the economic and commercial cooperation opportunities offered to the businessmen from all around the world.

During the Congress, many management issues faced by chamber leaders and broader business topics such as the challenges of globalization, rebuilding economies and the importance of good governance will be covered. In addition to approaching the problems faced by businessmen on management, there will be discussions on broader topics related to business life; such as encountered difficulties during the globalization process, restructuring economics and the importance of good governance. "Managing Global Risks - A Call to Action for Business and Government", "Securing the Future of Energy", "Beyond Borders - Chambers and Migration", "Governance in a Globalized Economy" and "Threats to Multilateralism" "will be the other subjects which will take place in the Congress programme.

Among the distinguished panelists will be Carlos Bulgheroni, Chairman of Bridas Corporation, Argentina; Victor Chu, Chairman of First Eastern Investment Group, Hong Kong; Victor Fung, Chairman of Li & Fung Group of companies, Hong Kong; Vice-Chairman of ICC; R.V. Kanoria, Chairman and Managing Director of Kanoria Chemicals and Industries, India; Muhtar Kent, President of the Coca-Cola Company; Brunson McKinley, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Geneva; Pierre Simon, President of the Paris Chamber of Commerce, France; President of Eurochambres; Stephan Singer, Head of Climate Change Policy Unit, WWF, Brussel; Donald Stephenson, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Office of the United Nations and to the World Trade Organization, Geneva; Lars Thunell, Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation; Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of SAAB and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken; Chairman of ICC.

A series of 23 workshops will offer practical, hands-on solutions to support the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and offer chambers of commerce an opportunity to learn best how to deal with the myriad challenges facing modern business.

The workshop topics include: customer service, the seven measures of success, leadership versus management, intellectual property issues for chambers and SMEs, and IT and e-business for chambers.

Other workshops will treat chamber branding, women in business and how businesses can thrive in the 21st century. The World's Top 100 Cities – sponsored by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry – will showcase the bold ideas and special activities of world class cities.

Finalists in the 2007 World Chambers Competition will present their projects during the Congress. They will face an international panel of judges in a contest for the most innovative projects from chambers of commerce.