In April of this year, the belarusian chamber of commerce and industry made its debut at the Summit of the international chamber of commerce (ICC). The tradition of such meetings was established in 2024, and this time the heads of chambers of commerce fr om around the world were hosted by an African country. Over 500 participants from more than 60 countries of America, Africa, and Europe gathered in nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
For two days, global and local realities and trends relevant to business were intensively discussed. Practical solutions for digitalizing foreign trade operations and simplifying financial settlements, using the resource of free trade zones, developing youth and women's entrepreneurship, and strengthening the stimulating and supportive role of chambers of commerce were the subject of discussions and negotiations. All these topics were united by the main idea underlying all ICC activities: to make the voice of business more influential and authoritative on the international stage, to better protect its interests, and to create a comfortable and reliable environment for business cooperation.
The head of the Belarusian delegation, Deputy Chairman of the BelCCI, Elena Malinovskaya, shares her impressions of the negotiations held and the general atmosphere of the summit.
REFERENCE
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that brings together chambers of commerce, business communities, and individual companies from around the world. Since its establishment in 1919, it has been promoting the interests of companies, developing international trade standards, and resolving commercial disputes. Among the documents issued by the ICC are Incoterms (uniform trade terms), UCP 600 (uniform rules and practices for documentary credits), arbitration regulations, and model international contracts.
The ICC is an advisory body to the WTO, the World Bank, and other international organizations, as well as the only business structure in the world with observer status at the UN General Assembly. The ICC headquarters are located in Paris.
The World Chambers Federation (WCF) operates under the ICC as a forum for cooperation exclusively for chambers of commerce. The WCF has 1,500 member chambers from over 170 countries around the world. The BelCCI joined the ICC in 1998, and with the formation of the WCF in 2001, it also became a member.
Elena Sergeevna, the BelCCI has previously organized numerous business visits to African countries and hosted African business people in our country. Last year, a major event dedicated to the conditions of working with Africa was held in Minsk.
What was the "added value" of the summit in Nairobi for us?
Indeed, recently we have been particularly attentive to business contacts with Africa, responding to the growing interest in it from our enterprises. But the April meeting, although held in Kenya, was ultimately not only and not so much about Kenya, or even about Africa. The main question was what chambers of commerce around the world can do to make it even more comfortable, successful, and profitable for businesses to work in Africa. What can be done at our level to ensure that this market develops sustainably and becomes the basis not only for the well-being of its own population, but also for the growth of the global economy? As Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently put it so aptly: "Is the world ready to be part of the coming African economic miracle?"
To answer these questions, it is necessary to "take the temperature" of the local business environment, to understand what the economy of the continent as a whole lives by, and what Africans themselves and non-regional players think about the local and global prospects. In this sense, special sessions were particularly informative, wh ere the heads of chambers and the ICC shared forecasts on the consequences of the US tariffs introduced, assessments of the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the economic influence of China, and considered the ICC's recommendations and approaches to the implementation of paperless trade. Such strategic analysis usually remains outside the scope of ordinary bilateral business visits.
At the summit, we were once again convinced that Belarus is of interest to the world. In a couple of days, we managed to hold a whole series of productive meetings with the leadership of the International Chamber of Commerce and other chambers. With some, we agreed on new projects, with others we "synchronized our watches" on ongoing ones. For example, following negotiations with the Georgian and Qatari delegations, we are preparing meetings of business councils.
We were asked in detail about what Belarus can offer for export, on what terms, what exhibitions and fairs are held in our country, and what the potential of our market is. In fact, one of the main practical effects of the event was concluded in these negotiations: we presented our country, established new connections, reinforced current cooperation with personal contact, jointly assessed the achievements with our partners, and outlined new horizons.
How do you assess the potential for interaction with the ICC? What are the BelCCI's plans regarding this organization?
The summit in Nairobi showed that such meetings can and should be used to promote the economic image of Belarus on the world stage, and the interests of our enterprises in foreign markets. The International Chamber of Commerce is an authoritative structure, one of the oldest organizations in the world. Over many decades, it has accumulated significant experience in improving the global business environment, developing business connections, and communication between companies and governments. We carefully study it and, if possible, adopt it.
The ICC also coordinates an important area of work for us, related to the issuance of international ATA carnets. These are, in fact, "international passports" for goods, allowing them to be temporarily imported into our country without duties and in a simplified manner. The BelCCI regularly issues carnets to foreign companies and closely interacts with other chambers on these issues. Membership in the ICC facilitates such interaction and the resolution of disputes.
We are closely monitoring the relatively new ICC project related to the digitalization of trade operations. Today, this is a fairly "hot" topic both in our country, in the Eurasian Economic Union, and within the BRICS and SCO blocs. The ICC is a "pioneer" in the development of international recommendations regarding electronic document management, paperless trade, and the creation of appropriate software and analytical base. At the summit, we discussed options for cooperation in these areas with the leadership of the relevant ICC department and its Secretary General, John Denton. As a first step, a speaker from the International Chamber of Commerce shared its developments at the forum "Development of Electronic Document Management in the Republic of Belarus," which took place in Minsk.
What is your opinion about Kenya as a potential "point of attraction" for Belarusian enterprises?
We have formed a certain common economic agenda with Kenya and established a tradition of exchanging business missions. Four years ago, the BelCCI signed a cooperation agreement with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). In 2022 and 2024, our business delegations visited this country and participated in exhibitions in Nairobi. In the same 2022, the first Belarusian-Kenyan business forum took place. In 2023, an agricultural and industrial delegation from Kenya visited Belarus, and an additional impetus to cooperation was given by the visit of the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, to this country at the end of 2023. As a result of these contacts, trade turnover, including our exports to this country, increased by 40% in just one last year. A roadmap for cooperation until 2028 is currently being developed.
Although the BelCCI's visit to Nairobi was not bilateral, it took place at the personal invitation of the President of the KNCCI, Eric Rutto. Therefore, negotiations with him as the "host" of the summit were an important part of our program. The KNCCI is clearly interested in the Belarusian market, especially in terms of purchasing agricultural machinery. We were directly asked: "Why are your tractors still not in Kenya?" There is also demand for small-sized equipment, as local farms are mainly small. Belarus can also offer its pharmaceutical products and diversify the range of food products supplied. In turn, Kenya is interested in selling its tea and coffee, considering our country as one of the promising export destinations.
It is precisely to work out all these opportunities that we agreed with Eric Rutto to prepare another visit of Kenyan business circles to Belarus, preferably linked to one of the major exhibition events. The Belarusian and Kenyan chambers are ready to increase interaction on a systematic basis, in order to bring the trade and economic cooperation between our countries to an even higher level.
KEY EVENTS OF THE BELCCI WITHIN THE ICC SUMMIT:
1. Deputy Chairman of the BelCCI, Elena Malinovskaya, held a meeting with the President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eric Rutto, as part of the International Chamber of Commerce summit. The head of the Belarusian delegation briefed the interlocutor on Belarus' export opportunities in areas of current interest to Kenyan business, such as technological equipment for agricultural production, procurement of food raw materials and food products, and the use of mineral fertilizers. It was also proposed to organize a visit of a Kenyan business mission to Belarus this year. Eric Rutto supported this proposal. The parties agreed to work together on the preparation of the event, including the search for potential partners from among Belarusian and Kenyan companies.
2. Negotiations were held with the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, John Denton. Elena Malinovskaya presented information on the activities of the BelCCI and outlined her vision of ways to further cooperate with the ICC. In turn, John Denton welcomed the BelCCI's openness to joint work on topical international issues. The parties agreed to continue a substantive dialogue in various formats, including taking into account the upcoming World Chambers Congress, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, in September 2025. The meeting participants also agreed to explore options for interaction within the framework of the Initiative on Standards for the Digitalization of Foreign Trade Documents, promoted by the ICC.
3. The BelCCI delegation participated in the session of the Nairobi summit dedicated to the digitalization of international trade. As part of the event, Elena Malinovskaya held a meeting with Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the International Chamber of Commerce, who oversees the ICC Initiative on the Digitalization of Foreign Trade Documents. "We are interested in studying the relevant experience and express the desire of a number of Belarusian IT companies to join the Digitalization Initiative," said Elena Malinovskaya. The parties discussed the possibility of holding a joint event on the digitalization of trade in Belarus, which opens up new opportunities for cooperation.
4. A meeting was held with the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Caracas (Venezuela), Diego Romero, and the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota (Colombia), Maria Conde Barragan. The head of the Belarusian delegation presented information to the interlocutors about the work of the leading export-oriented sectors of the Belarusian economy, the membership of the BelCCI, and the Chamber's activities to promote international business contacts. In furtherance of previous agreements with the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota, Elena Malinovskaya proposed considering the possibility of a visit to Belarus by Colombian business circles. A similar proposal was addressed to the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Caracas, who reported on the demand in Venezuela for certain Belarusian goods. The interlocutors agreed to take these proposals into consideration and expressed their readiness to host Belarusian business missions, with the organization of productive B2B contacts within their framework.
5. On the sidelines of the summit, Elena Malinovskaya discussed the current state and prospects for bilateral interaction with the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Africa, Alan Mukoki. The head of the Belarusian delegation presented the export potential of Belarus and the key categories of goods that could take their place in the African market. Alan Mukoki noted that these goods may be in demand in South Africa, just as certain South African products are able to find their buyer in Belarus.
6. A meeting was held with Duncan Ndiage, Regional Director for East Africa of the international exhibition operator ExpoGroup. The interlocutors discussed options for cooperation in the exhibition sector, including practical aspects of organizing exhibitions of the Republic of Belarus in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia, and the participation of Kenyan businesses in trade fair and exhibition events in Belarus.
7. Elena Malinovskaya held a meeting with a member of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Al Obaidli. The parties summarized the interim results of joint work and discussed ways to further stimulate business contacts between Belarus and Qatar. This year, the next meeting of the joint business council will be held, which will be attended by a wide range of companies, foreign economic organizations, and departments from both countries.
8. Negotiations were held with the Chairman of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Giorgi Pertaia. The parties "synchronized their watches" in preparation for the next meeting of the bilateral Business Council. The main elements of its program, the sectoral affiliation and commercial interests of the prospective participants from among the companies of both countries, and a number of organizational issues were discussed. The heads of delegations confirmed their intention to hold a meeting of the Business Council and agreed to continue working to ensure its maximum effectiveness.
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