Developmental Role of Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries

Chamber of commerce and industry plays important role for development of business community and creating vibrant competition. Present paper compares chambers operations in Bangladesh, especially, Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry(SCCI) by reviewing global models of chambers practices. The study identifies important gaps between international standards and Bangladesh practices. Mostly practiced chambers model in the world are: Continental Model, Anglo-Saxon Model and Mixed model or Asian model. Like other Asian countries, chambers in Bangladesh including SCCI, have been following Mixed Model. The empirical study found that SCCI is performing different developmental functions like accumulating members, collecting revenue, fulfilling corporate social responsibility and providing business development services to its members and business community. The notable constraining factors of SCCI operations are: short term orientation in assembling members, limited functional activities, lack of creative endeavors in diversifying services, linkage between SCCI and academic institutions, poor research involvement etc. The necessary suggestions for improvement of chambers performance include adoption of creative measures in various operations, providing training to the members, assisting entrepreneurs in obtaining industrial finance and extending support in the establishment of specialized industrial zone for attaining long term developmental objectives.