The Benin Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on 20th October 1965, in Nigeria as a non-profit making organization, limited by guarantee (without a share capital) with company registration number RC 4602/T. The founding President of BENCCIMA was Chief Morgan I. Agbontaen. The chamber together with Warri and Sapele Chambers of Commerce formed one umbrella body in the then Bendel State and christened it Bendel Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA). However, these founding Chambers of BACCIMA were autonomous and maintained their separate identities while the umbrella body was operated as a cofederal arrangement among the different Chambers in the then Bendel State of Nigeria.
What makes us different?
To analyze economic and business trends as guide to members in particular and Nigeria in general.
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote and protect the interests of its members and Edo State business community at large through public policy advocacy, creation and facilitation of trade, investment and general business opportunities, provision of business development services and observance of highest standard of business ethics among its members.
Aims & Objectives
To guide and strengthen the development of member-businesses with quality information, training, advice and service
- To provide a network of local, national and international business contacts and opportunities
iii. To actively represent the interest of the business community, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
- To continue to serve members with courtesy, integrity and efficiency
- To encourage, motivate and train its staff towards providing services of the highest quality and to recognize their achievements
- To analyze economic and business trends as guide to members in particular and Nigeria in general
vii. To promote business undertakings with foreign nations by participating in trade missions, trade delegations, international trade fairs and exhibitions, and by networking directly with foreign trade promotion organizations
viii. To organizee conferences, seminars, workshops, business meetings where members can come together to discuss their common interests with a view to taking joint action to address issues and matters affecting trade, investments, businesses and economic developments of Edo State and Nigeria and make representations to relevant authorities
- To assist the Government in economic development through participation in various committees, boards, etc.
ORGANS OF BENCCIMA
The responsibility of electing the officers of the Chamber.
- The responsibility of considering the annual reports of the President in Council and the Treasurer including the statement of affairs of the Chamber’s accounts duly audited.
iii. Duly approving the audited accounts of the Chamber and appointing external auditors for the ensuing year.
- It delegates the responsibility and powers to formulate policies for the effective management of the Chamber to the Executive Council.
300+ Business helped
25+ years of service
198 commitment member
36 State countries
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The business of BENCCIMA is conducted by the Executive Council which meets regularly to formulate policies, direct, control and review the work of the Chamber and its specialist committees along the line of these policies.
The sitting President of the Chamber is the Chairman of the Executive Council by provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Chamber. The Executive Council is composed of the following:
Elected members – The President, Deputy President, four Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary and seven ordinary Council members.
- Ex-officio members – Past Presidents and the Chief Executive of the Chamber (Director General).
iii. Co-opted members – Member-organizations invited to serve in the Executive Council including those in honorary capacity, Chairmen and Chairpersons of standing committees and special interest sections.
SPECIALIST COMMITTEES AND TRADE GROUPS
The Benin Chamber of Commerce encourages all its members to join various committees and be actively and effectively involved in the workings of the Chamber. This helps to broaden members’ network of contacts while learning about issues that impact on their businesses. Some of the specialist committees in the Chamber include:
- Executive Committee (EC)
- Education and Training Committee (E&TC)
- Industrial and Commercial Development Committee (I&CDC)
- Business Ethics and Arbitration Committee (BE&AC)
- Membership Development Committee (MDC)
- Chamber/Government Relations Committee (CGRC)
- Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC).
- h. Trade Groups
THE SECRETARIAT
The secretariat is the engine room of the Chamber. It coordinates and carries out the day-to-day operational activities of the Chamber and implements all policy decisions of the Executive Council. It serves as the administrative organ of the Chamber and is managed by a Director General supported by officers of various categories. It renders services to the other organs of the Chamber as well as implements their decisions as approved by the Executive Council. It keeps safe custody of all Chamber’s documents and properties.
BENCCIMA MEMBERSHIP
BENCCIMA maintains a strong, well screened membership and is open to all registered businesses having offices or representation in Edo State. Membership is voluntary and non-discriminatory. Presently, the Chamber has well over one hundred and twenty (120) active members spread across the three senatorial district of Edo State. Majority of our members are in the small and medium scale sector. We have made substantial effort to improve the performance of MSMEs by organizing seminars and workshops and also by helping them to identify markets for their goods and services.
BENCCIMA operates on a Memorandum and Articles of Association and Bye-laws. The Memorandum and Articles spells out the modus operandi of the Chamber. The income and property of the Chamber of Commerce are applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the Chamber as set forth in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The end of the financial year of the Chamber, the period and months of grace to organize the annual general meeting are clearly stipulated in this document. The Memorandum and Articles directs the process of election and appointment into offices and the criteria for admission of persons who have distinguished themselves in the areas of commerce, industry, mines and agriculture into honorary membership of the Chamber. The laws also provide for quorum for Chamber’s meetings and voting rights and privileges of members.