Iran International Magazine - Dr. Kai-Khosrow Sobhe

Iran International Magazine - On Agenda: "January 2003 / No. 21

The Chamber Needs to Do Its Job

"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."