indaba hotel 2014.11.22 twitter #jtcca2014. taiwanese chambers of commerce
TRANSCRIPT
Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce
• Established in 1994• To unite and further Taiwanese business
interest around the world
40,000 members 1,000 members 80 members
WTCC Annual Convention
Mr Ma, President of Taiwan, ROC gives opening speech
Opening ceremony, The Grand Hotel, September 2014
WTCC funding
• Annual membership fee – min 200 USD per head
• Individual members representing businesses• Sponsorship from government• Main income: donations from current president• President term: 1 year, rotating between 6
continents• Secretarial office in Taipei
WTCC Advocacy – Washington DC visit
September 2014Led by Past President Mr YangVisited House of Representatives,House of Senate, US TradeRepresentatives
German Chamberwww.germanchamber.co.za
• Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• 62 years old• 630 members from both countries, mainly
corporate members• Offices in JHB, CT, DBN, Maputo• Regional focus
German Chamberwww.germanchamber.co.za
• 8 directors, CEO Matthias Boddenberg• 30 full-time staff• 5 Divisions: General Services, Accounts/HR,
Admin, Trade Fairs, Operations & Marketing• R18.35m revenue in 2012• All employees English speaking• Has a company providing training for customers• Organises corporate social responsibility
American Chamberwww.amcham.co.za
• Est. 1977, 37 years old• American social organisation – social side• American Chamber – business only• Members – 85% American companies, balance
SA companies• 3 focus areas:
– Advocacy– Networking functions– Forums – thematic monthly meeting
American Chamberwww.amcham.co.za
• Self-sustainable• 10 full-time staff, correspondent at parliament,
accountant offsite• Membership fees account for bulk of income• Below to US Chamber in Washington, pay
affiliation fees• 18 on board of directors• Current issues: Private security industry bill,
immigration bill, new BEE codes
British Chamberwww.britcham.co.za
• British Chamber of Business in Southern AfricaNearly 50 years in SA, dormant in 2010, now re-launching
• Members: British companies and SA companies with strong trade links with UK
• 50 members, aim to get to 300 in year 3• Regular monthly event, establishing brand• Euro chamber – 29 voices
British Chamberwww.britcham.co.za
• Goal to be self sustainable• Initially funded by government• Membership fees, services to members• Current issues:
– Membership growth– Business environment– Government willing to engage
Russian Trade Representation
• Trade Representation used to be for government purchases, now for all trade and investments
• Appointed by Prime Minister• Eurasia Economic Union: 171m people• Effective 1 Jan 2015• Sanctions be the West• BRIC bank
Russian Trade Representation
• Develop trade with SA– Fishery deal last week– Fresh fruits and vegetables to Russia– Crude oil, petroleum products to SA– Cars, ships, jets, parts– Many Russian delegations visiting SA
• Russia – weak SME sector• Current issues: sanctions, Ruble 30% down,
BEE, bilateral agreements