The Director General, Odu’a Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, David Awotipe, had stated that it is important for business owners to be a member of Chamber of Commerce, CoC.
He gave this charge during the second edition of Freelanews Leadership Session (FSL) held in an exclusive WhatsApp group, Freelanews.
According to him, a chamber of commerce is an association of business leaders that allows mutual promotion and protection of the interests of their businesses, whether a small farmer or a big manufacturing conglomerates.
He explained that from the definition, it is important to note that a chamber of commerce is (i) an association of Business owners of all categories, (ii) for protection of personal and business interest and (iii) organised private sector.
While clarifying that CoC is neither a pressure group, nor labour group, Mr. Awotipe stated that it is also neither a political group nor a government.
“A CoC is never set up to be a pressure group or a political tool, it is strictly to protect the business interests of its members. We believe it’s our relationships with others that lead us to achieve goals beyond those we could ever achieve alone,” he said.
The DG then listed places CoC is practicable as city, state, regional and national chambers.
Other are bilateral, multilateral and ICC.
“City Chamber is a localise chamber operating within a locality or within a local government. These are chambers who operate within the locality where their business is domiciled. Examples are Badagry chamber, Ado-ekiti chamber, saki chambers,IFE chamber etc.
“State Chamber is the coming together of different city chambers within a state to form a strong alliance in the state. For instance, the Ondo State Chambers of Commerce has Owo Chamber, Akure Chamber, Akoko Chamber and so on. While Ogun State Chamber has Yewa Chamber, Abeokuta Chamber, Ota-Agbara etc.
The DG further explained that regional chamber, like the Odu’a Chamber of Commerce, is the coming together of states within same region to further their interests together.
“Regional Chamber is the coming together of different states within same region to form a common force. For example, ODU’A Chambers is for all southwestern states in Nigeria, Conference of Northern State Chambers of Commerce for all northern states and Coalition of Eastern States chambers for the South south and south east state in the country,” he said.
Mr. Awotipe further explained that the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce and so on fall under bilateral chambers, which is a coming together of two countries business owners to form a joint chamber. While Multilateral Chambers of Commerce is congregation of many countries business owners to form a joint chamber. Example of such is Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI).
While enumerating steps to joining a chamber of commerce, Mr. Awotipe stated that the decision is one of the best decisions for business owners as the benefits are many.
“It increases your business exposure, provides networking opportunities and gives your businesses more credibility.
Responding to a question raised by a member of the group, Olori Olubunmi Fawole, on how a prospective exporter can key in, the DG confirmed that it is highly important for an exporter to be a member.
“Sir, for a prospective exporter, do I need to become a member before I can start exportation business? I also learnt that there are financial categories laid down laws before you can join,” she asked.
“My answer is yes for your own benefit though. To export, you will need certificate of origin for your produce and Chamber of Commerce is the only organisation that issues that. The certificate of origin is recognized globally.
“Before COVID-19, we were in talk with Nigerian customs to leave some aspects of documentation to chamber of commerce as done in other countries of the world, which we are sure of being granted.
On financial implication of being a member, Mr. Awotipe responded;
“Yes, every city chamber has registration requirements and fee. All you need to do is to locate the one in the city you are.”
Adeniyi Erinfolami asked how he could be a member of a bilateral chamber of commerce, on which he advised that it was better to begin from city chamber to have an in dept knowledge of chamber movement before progressing to bilateral.
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