ICC’s World Chambers Federation (WCF) lent its strong support to the third instalment of the CACCI Local Chamber Awards, a project by the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI).

CACCI is a key regional partner for WCF. CACCI's Past President, KK Modi, was a member of the WCF’s Selection Committee for its 2011 World Chambers Congress. A representative from CACCI also served as a judge in the 2009 World Chambers Competition.

WCF Director, Anthony Parkes served as a judge at the CACCI awards along with representatives from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), a winner of the 2007 World Chambers Competition.

"Being a part of these awards is a great honour," said Mr Parkes. "The various exciting projects being undertaken locally gives us a better understanding of the great impact of the chambers in the Asia-Pacific region in supporting their small, medium and micro-industry company members."

Encouraging local chambers to strive for excellence
The awards aim to recognize local chambers in the CACCI region that have undertaken outstanding activities for their members and for businesses in communities where they operate, as well for their country’s business sector as a whole. The winners were presented with trophies from Noli “Kabayan” de Castro, Vice President of the Philippines

Awards were given in two categories:
1. Big local chambers (membership larger than 200) to Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (The Philippines)
2. Small local chambers (membership up to 200) to Quezon-Lucena Chamber of Comerce and Industry (The Philippines)

In accepting the award, the President of the Quezon-Lucena Chamber said: “We had the desire to win, not just for the plaque or the monetary award, but so that it would serve as an inspiration for others to replicate what we do, for other local chambers to think of projects that would help improve their local economy in order to make our country a better place to live.”

The Chair of the CACCI Awards Jury, Tony Park, from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also cited the Darkhan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mongolia).

The awards took place at the 22nd CACCI Conference held in Manila on 22-23 October 2008 with an opening address by the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The conference also saw the renewal of the term of Harvey Chang as President of CACCI.

The CACCI Conference was held immediately after the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) 34th Business Conference and Expo. PCCI is a member of the ICC World Chambers Federation.

Mrs Macapagal assisted in the swearing in of the Philippine Chamber’s board under the Chairmanship of Miguel B. Varela, and President, Edguardo G. Lacson; as well as the presentation of the Outstanding Chamber awards in the Philippines. Honours went to chambers from Sugigao, Mandaue, Paranaque, Pampanga and the national winner, the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

WCF's chamber award programme, the World Chambers Competition, will take place during the 6th World Chambers Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 3-5 June 2009.

For more information regarding the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, CACCI or the 2009 World Chambers Competition, please visit  www.worldchambersfederation.com .