In one of the oldest human activities - trade - for the first time self-regulatory organizations arose, as they would be called now. Trading guilds can be called the prototype of the modern International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). True, for a long time they officially worked at the local level, starting from the 16th century, and nationally, starting from the 19th century, having crossed state borders at the beginning of the 20th century.
A bit of history
The first attempt to establish an international organization to promote trade was made in 1905, the beginnings of which to organize institutions and the legal field for the cooperation of national trade organizations were frustrated by the outbreak of World War I. Therefore, the International Chamber of Commerce has been counting its activities since 1919. Representatives of the US chambers of commerce and several European countries agreed to join forces aimed at liberalizing trade, restoring ties and the economy destroyed by the war. The need to coordinate efforts and develop common rules for international trade was obvious at that time.
At the beginning of the 20th century, several dozen such organizations were created in the world, but only the International Chamber of Commerce has survived to this day. The organization was established by five countries, now it has 120 countries, dozens of companies and transnational corporations. In 2016, the ICC received observer status at the UN, which gives the organization the right to submit its proposals to the UN General Assembly.
Field of activity
In the early years, the International Chamber of Commerce was engaged in reparations and collection of military debts, overcoming the effects of economic depression and reducing the effects of the isolationism and protectionism policies that many countries of the world adhered to. But even despite the outbreak of World War II, the first international documents were developed, which are still used with amendments and additions. UCP 600 (Unified rules and customs for issuing documentary letters of credit) and Incoterms (international trade terms) are known to all specialists involved in international trade.
The International Chamber of Commerce has 12 committees that cover all aspects of economic life. Along with the arbitration court, one of the first areas of work, ICC now operates in the field of competition, banking, marketing, environmental protection, intellectual property, trade and investment policy.
We live by the Constitution
The main document defining the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce is the Constitution of the ICC (the acronym World Business Organization is the second name of the ICC). The second name should show that the ICC is now engaged not only in international trade, but also in all areas of international business: production, financing, insurance and transport.
ICC Constitution: Promote an open global economy with the strong belief that international trade facilitates global prosperity and peace among nations.
The supreme body of the ICC is the World Council, which includes representatives of national chambers and individual companies. The World Council appoints management of executive bodies, including the chairman of the International Arbitration Court. All political, technical recommendations and documents are prepared by the ICC committees. The International Chamber of Commerce lives on contributions from national chambers, to which, in turn, delegates collection rights in their countries.
Russia keeps up to date
Russia kept pace with the times, and in the 18th century the decree of Catherine 1 created an association of merchants and industrialists. In Soviet times, the activity of the country's chamber of commerce was aimed at developing economic relations with foreign countries, modernizing the economy, and attracting new technologies. In 1970, the country's chamber of commerce was renamed the chamber of commerce and industry. In 1991, Russia received its own organization, which became known as the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (ICCI).
Now the organization includes 180 regional chambers of commerce. The main objectives of the association are to protect the interests of entrepreneurship, to promote the development of exports and relations with foreign countries, and to attract investments. MCCI deals with the settlement of commercial disputes, the organization of major international exhibitions. All regional chambers and about 300 organizations created with the participation of the ICCI provide a wide range of services for business: assessment, examination, certification, information and consulting services, translations, and procurement services.