Historical Overview

Cairo Chamber of Commerce was the first Egyptian Chamber established in Cairo by Abdelkhalek

Madkour Pasha in the name of the "Cairo Trade Secret " in1913, and  had  included Some traders and

its chairman was named, "Shahbandar of Traders".

Shahbandar is a word with Turkish roots, and it means chairman. In 1941 the first world war broke out

and hindered its formation.

In 1919 group of Capital traders headed by Abdul Qader AlGamal pasha decided to establish

an Egyptian commercial chamber in Cairo and they elected him as chairman and King Fouad

bestowed the title "shahbander of Cairo traders" upon him .The Chamber Participation fees had first

been optional until 1930, then the Ministry of Finance decided to pay a yearly contribution amounted

2000 Egyptian pounds.

In 1951 the chambers of commerce law no. 189 was issued during the period of King Farouk and was

amended to Law No.6 for the year 2002 ( the current law).

Every trader-individual or corporate- pay participation fees, which amounted 2 per thousand from

the Company's Capital to the Chamber , where located his main activity, main branch, or his subsidiary

company, and also the registration fees should  be more than 24 Egyptian pounds and less than 2000

Egyptian pounds. In addition, the trader should fulfill their Late payment penalties, which are assessed

at the rate of 25% of Chamber's  participation fees . The Chamber of Commerce is not a Syndicate for

traders, but it is organization with legal personality that includes all of those, who engaged in

the field of commercial activity, whether public, private, cooperative, or industrial sector, and

the Chambers' jurisdictions represent the  commercial interests in front of  public authorities .

The Chamber is considered one of public organizations and was established according to a decision

by the Minister of Trade. This decision identifies its headquarter, its jurisdiction and the number of

its members.

The Cairo Chamber of Commerce includes a large number of traders representing about 60% of those,

who engaged in trade activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The chambers of commerce numbers in the Arab Republic of Egypt 26 chambers so that each

governorate has an independent chamber. They are gathered by the General Federation of Chambers

of Commerce that must be located in Cairo Governorate.

Administrative system of Cairo Chamber of Commerce

Cairo Chamber of Commerce is administrated by :

1- Board of Directors

2- The Bureau members

3- Executive Body

1-Board of Directors:

The Chamber of Commerce is administrated by a board of directors, consisting of: (22)

members, (11) of them are elected by traders, and the others are appointed by

the Ministerof Trade.

The Board of Directors shall elect the Bureau members, consisting of:

The Chairman – two deputies of chairman - Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer –

General Secretary.

The Board of Directors shall manage the Chamber's affairs especially as follows:

1- Making policies for  the Cairo Chamber.

2- Putting organizational rules of the budget, the buying and selling accounts and

    rules Plus investing the surplus funds.

3- Making organizational rules of the Chamber's departments, which identify its tasks

    and monitoring the work  process facilitation.

4- Expressing the  opinion on the works or proposals, which were received  from

    Bureau membersor public authorities.

2-the Bureau Members

Tasks of  the Bureau Members, including the following

1-putting the Chamber of Commerce general policy

2-Following-up to the implementation of the budget.

3-Considering the staff affairs within the limits of the Regulations

4-Preparing the Board of Directors agenda.

3-The Executive body

Executive body is headed by chief executive, who is responsible in front of  the  Board of directors for

the tasks of the Chamber's staff  and their affairs.

Tasks of the Executive Body

1-Implementing the Board of Directors  and the Bureau members decisions Preparing  the Chamber's

   draft budget and the closing accounts, which are presented to the Board of Directors

2-Implementing the budget within the laws and regulations.

3-Collecting data and information about the possibility of production and consumption prospects for

    the future.

4-communicating with other Chambers of Commerce, local authorities and other trade bodies  , and

    disseminating the data and information related to the local business.

5-Printing and disseminating the data and information of interest to all, who engaged in economic and

    commercial affairs.