[The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation](http://www.thebahamaschamber.com/) (BCCEC) is now a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), with access to officials at the heart of some of the world’s most influential intergovernmental bodies. This includes the G20 and the United Nations (UN).
BCCEC Chairman I. Chester Cooper described the move as a major accomplishment for the organisation and our members. *“It speaks to the high level of engagement and ideals of our association that we should be admitted into this very important body. The Chamber strives to consistently represent Bahamian business worldwide, and is always seeking ways to improve our trade policies and international relations.“*
He also noted that this will be fundamental to the advancement of The Bahamas as an arbitration centre. In Paris recently, BCCEC Executive Director Edison Sumner met with Andrea Carlevaris, the secretary general of the International Court of Arbitration, who pledged support for the Bahamas establishing its own International Arbitration Centre for Dispute Resolution.
Mr Sumner also met with ICC executives who pledged their full support behind the BCCEC becoming the National Committee for the Bahamas, a process that has begun.
The access to training, international conferences and skills building opportunities through the ICC will be invaluable. Mr. Sumner says, *“As a local Chamber, many of these opportunities would be unaffordable for our members. Being a member of the ICC gives us the chance to learn from international experts and engage in mutually beneficial exchanges with global brands.”*
The ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) was established by the ICC in 1951 to be the advocate of its chamber of commerce members worldwide. The WCF is a non-political, non-governmental body representing the interests of all local, national, regional, bilateral and transnational chambers of commerce and industry.