The
Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established
in 1850, is the oldest non-profit institution representing
the private sector in Mauritius. With the increase in the
island's volume of trade during the first decades of British
administration, the Mauritian business community felt the
need for a formal representational and arbitration framework
to foster the interests of the trading community and to
settle disputes and conflicts arising in trade-related activities.
The present-day Chamber originally
came into being as the 'Chamber of Commerce'. It took on
its present name of 'Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry'
in 1965, when the country was moving towards independence
and was contemplating the diversification of its economy
through appropriate forms of industrial activities.
Since its launching, the
Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has evolved
from a purely representative and consultative body to a
dynamic actor in the socio-economic development of the country.
Throughout its years of existence, it has constantly striven
to carry out its fundamental mission of defending and promoting
the vital interests of its members. It has also set up and
developed the organisational structures capable of providing
a wide range of highly professional services.
Furthermore, as the main
voice of the Mauritian business community, it has always
maintained close links with Government and increasingly
contributed to the development process of the country. And
just as importantly, it has set up links and affiliations
at international level with inter-governmental and private
organisations aimed at widening its scope of activities
and better promoting Mauritius on the world scene.