INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, an important international institution established in 192o at a meeting of the chief business interests of Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy and the United States, and subsequently joined by 40 other nations, to promote the development of international trade, to remove or mitigate the effects of trade restrictions, and to foster harmonious commercial relations among the nations.
The machinery by which the Chamber seeks to attain its objects is as follows:— The Chamber is governed by a council to which representatives are elected by the national committees in the various countries. The secretary-general carries out the decisions of the council under the supervision of the president and a small executive committee.
Committee organization is designed to cover important sub jects which are brought before the council by the affiliated coun tries. There are committees for commercial policy and trade barriers; industrial statistics; international industrial agreements; fairs and exhibitions; international settlements and economic in formation; double taxation ; bills of exchange, cheques and export commercial credits; international commercial arbitration; inter national protection of industrial property; trade terms; sea, air, rail and highway transport; and telegraph, telephone and postal services.
Biennially the International Chamber holds a congress in one of the affiliated countries, which is attended by delegates representing the different countries. These congresses are outstanding features of the organization. The congress which was held in Stockholm in 1927, was attended by Boo delegates from 35 different countries; previous congresses were held in Brussels (1925), Rome (1923) and London (1921). The congress of 1929 met at Amsterdam.
In each country which desires to participate in membership, there is established a national committee representing the indus trial, commercial, financial and transport interests of the country. The national committees are the administrative and co-ordinating links between the council on the one hand and the actual mem bers in their respective countries. The International Chamber has established a court of arbitration to facilitate the settlement of commercial disputes between the traders of different countries.
There are two categories of members. Organization members are representative bodies such as chambers of commerce, federa tions of manufacturers, etc. Individual firms and companies en gaged in business activities are eligible for associate membership.