The Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (“ASCCI”) was
established in 1992 and operates in some of the countries in the SADC region.
In 1994 the Association was reorganised and re-launched. Expansion was
undertaken to include all countries in the SADC, whilst the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) and Madagascar, were admitted to full ASCCI membership in
2006. ASCCI now represents 18 National Chambers of Commerce, Trade
Associations and Employer Organisations in all 14 countries of the SADC region.
ASCCI’s mandate is to be the voice of the private and business sectors in the
SADC Region. It currently gets its directives and policies from the General
Assembly which represents members from all the 14 countries of the region.
The General Assembly elects, every second year, the Executive Council comprising
of 5 office bearers, namely, the President, the Vice President and three other
office bearers.
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The CEO, who is appointed by the Executive Council, is ex-officio of the Executive
Council and General Assembly. The secretariat and administration, under the
leadership of and appointed by the CEO carries out the policies and resolutions
of the Association, as decided upon by the Executive Council and the General
Assembly of the Association.
ASCCI’s driving principle is to ensure that there is an enduring voice of business
that supports private sector growth and development, public policy debate and
political-economic landscape through a market-based approach that is
intertwined in an environment of open trade and a stable financial system.
ASCCI is currently the only private sector body which is recognized by the SADC
Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana. The SADC secretariat reports to the
Council of Ministers of the Region and the Summit of Heads of States of the
Region.
The mission of ASCCI is to constructively inform, participate and engage with
policy and decision makers – whether public sector or business people – in
public policy debate, formulation, and implementation for the profitable growth
of the Southern African Development community, Private Sector in a socially
responsible manner for the benefit of the Southern African Community.
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Current categories of ASCCI Membership are comprised as follows:
-
National Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
- Trade Associations, Sectorial bodies and Employer
Organisation.
- Corporate Members.
- Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) Membership.
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