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The Chamber
Needs to Do Its Job
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"The
alleviation of many export and production inadequacies in the past years
has been due to the direct and indirect efforts of ICCIM." |
Dr. Kai-Khosrow
Sobhe, member of the board of directors of
Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM) believes
that narrow-mindedness, suspicion and lack of trust of the private sector in
Iran are the main reasons why its potentials have not so far been
taken seriously and why the chamber is losing sight of its central role.
He added that ICCIM’s role in the expansion
of foreign trade carries special weight and with slight alterations in its
structure, the guidance of the private sector may come within the hands of
this institution. The fact that the country's economy is in the hands of the
government, the flaws and the need for awareness within the private sector,
ambiguity of regulations, the out-dated system in use in the production sector
plus unsteady and inconvenient political relations with other countries are
among the problems facing our non-oil exports.
There has been a rise in the rate of imports
as compared to that of exports. The high rate of consumption within the
country has made imports of necessary goods more profitable than exports and
competition in world markets. There was so much profit involved in imports
that until a short time ago when there existed the multiple exchange rates, a
specific group using various fronts would receive currency at very low rates
and imported goods which were then sold at high black market rates in the
country.
The alleviation of many export and
production inadequacies in the past years has been due to the direct and
indirect efforts of ICCIM, which is an advisory body that presents its points
of view to the country’s three main government branches at regular intervals.
The electoral system within the organization
is presently suffering and the lack of voters in the sessions held is due to
various reasons, including cultural problems suffered by most Iranians who are
basically unwilling to get for involved in group activities.
The disregard by some members of the results
of the votes and the persons chosen and their unawareness of the times of
elections stem from weak communication or overload of outside duties. This has
naturally led to the reduction in the number of voters in chamber elections.
The chamber’s budget is obtained from membership fees and the taxes obtained
from members. ICCIM normally has trouble in collecting the mentioned taxes.
Each year’s budget is usually approved by the representatives of the chamber,
which means it is approved by the principal governing body of the institution.
The main services rendered to the members of
ICCIM and clients include the introduction of the members and cardholders to
various embassies for visas, making of travel preparations, organizing of
commercial exhibitions and formation of joint chambers of commerce with other
countries, presentation of statistics and information and bringing together
foreign and Iranian businessmen and women. |
