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Formation of Trade Assembly (Majlis of Trade)

In mid 13th Iranian century (late 19th century A.D) Haj Mohammad Hasan Amin-ol-Zarb, on behalf of Tehran Traders and supported by a group of businessmen, could attract Nasereddin Shah (the then king of Iran) agreement to form the first Assembly (Majlis)of Traders' Representatives in Iran, which was thereafter called "Majlis of Trade". The articles of association of the "Majlis" were confirmed by the King in the year of 1883.

The Majlis was an economic apparatus having political and legal identity. It also had the authority for designing plans for economic progress and foreign trade promotion. From judicial point of view, it was vested the responsibility of "Court of Trade". In short, "Majlis of Trade" was a circle consisted of the Iranian selected Traders' representatives which was a new manifestation of the traders' social movement in that era.

The articles of association of the "Majlis" had 6 chapters and underlined the following points:

Financial security, establishment of the " office for the Registration" of property and Documents", establishment of a small Iranian Bank and its gradual development, protect the local traders' interests against foreign traders, establishment of new industries to compete with the imported products, enhance the Iranian exports, prevent counterfeiting the exported goods, hold trade fairs and exhibitions for marketing the Iranian goods, fight against the unlimited import of low-quality foreign goods, and finally, the obligations and authorities of the "Traders' Representatives Majlis of Iran".

At the outset, the Majlis consisted of a central Majlis in the capital city and the provincial ones (Velayat Majlis). Furthermore, in some important commercial and trading cities and ports where traders and businessmen were active, "Majlis of Trade" was established. It is worth nothing that due to the considerable number of Iranian businessmen in some foreign countries' cities such as Baghdad, Istanbul and Badkubeh, individual "Majlises" were also established there.

This Majlis had its opposition front consisted of 3 groups:

1) Some businessmen who wanted to be enlisted as a representative of Majlis since they considered themselves more competent,

2) Some bankrupt businessmen whose trading houses were closed down by the "Majlis" and according to the new Law,

3) Group of brokers who were discontented with the severe monitoring system of the "Majlis".

At last, this opposition along with resistance from Ministry of Trade's officials and the sabotages of provincial rulers put the central government under the political pressures and the King was forced to annul his decree, and according to the new order issued by the king for the provincial rulers, the "Traders' Representatives Majlis" was closed down.

Law for The formation of “chamber of commerce”

After September 1941, by attempts of a group of merchants, The “Law for the Formation of chamber of commerce” was approved. Thereafter, the two political bazaar societies, ie merchants’ Association and Guilds’ Association joined to Tehran Chamber of Commerce .The Laws of Trade Chambers were thus modified, and based on the Article 29; the existing chambers of commerce must have been replaced by the new chambers of commerce. Ministry of Commerce, Business and Art was responsible for implementing implementing the law according to Article 30.Industries, transport and insurance companies, bank Melli Ministry of Economy became members of the Chamber Board of Representatives.

According to Article (1),”Chamber of Commerce” was established to aim at improving economic affairs; concentrating and guiding of the businessmen’s thoughts ;expanding trade ties with other countries; making coordination between business community and enterprises , and creating cooperation between economic and commercial institutions with the ministry of National Economy.

Following the 1953 Coup d’état (1332 Iranian calendar), however, the Iranian government announced the Society of Businessmen, guilds and Craftsmen illegal. In 1954, the new bill was approved by the Majlis and Tehran Chamber elections were immediately held. According to Article (3) of the new law, The “Office for Chambers of Commerce Affairs” should have been established in Tehran by the Ministry of National economy.

Formation of Chamber of industries and Mines

In 1957(1336 Iranian calendar), a draft proposal for establishing the “Chamber of Industries and Mines” was submitted to Majlis, but was rejected. Through the efforts of the Association of Industrial Owners, the article of association of the “Chamber of Industries and Mines” was approved in 22 articles in in October 1962.

The objective of the chamber was stipulated in Article (1) as follows:

To help expand and improve industrial affairs, promote the exploitation of mines , upgrade the domestic industrial and mining products as well as introducing them internally , make coordination among the views of the industrialists and mines owners and create cooperation between them ,and facilitates the relation between the industrialists and Chamber of Industries and mines.

According to articles (3) & (4), the number of Chamber’s Representatives and their tenure was set 30 persons and 3 years respectively. In 1964, the aforementioned law was amended.

Formatin of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and mines

According to a single Article approved by the national Consultative Assembly (the then Majlis), in 1970, the “Chamber of Commerce” merged with the “Chamber of Industries and Mines” and The “Chamber of Industries and Mines” (ICCIM) was formed and its executive by-law was approved the following year. According to the By-law, the main objectives and functions of ICCIM are as follows:

· Create coordination and cooperation with the governmental institutions, state-affiliated and/or controlled organizations and municipalities in preparing bills and other regulations relating to commercial, industrial and mine affairs through rendering consultative views.

· Carry out the necessary studies on the expansion and progress of commercial, industrial and mining affairs.

· Make attempt to settle disputes among businessmen, mines and industries owners and possibly consumers

· Agree for arbitration and expertise.

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, by the order of Emam Khomeini the founder of the Islamic Revolution, messrs haj Tarkhani, Eng.Alinaghi Seyyed Khamosuhi, Asadollah Asgaroladi, Ala-e-din Mir Mohammad Sadeghi, Mir Fendereski, Mohammad Ali Navid and Abolfazl Ahmadi were appointed as the Board of Directors to run the ICCIM.

At the first election, Eng.Khamoushi was chosen as the president of ICCIM and Tehran Chamber simultaneously.

The ministers of Commerce, Industries and Mines were then empowered to appoint 50% minus 1 of the number of Board of Representatives.

Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines' Persian (Farsi) Portal [1] Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines' English Portal [2]