Advocacy:
Chief Private Sector Advocate
The Chamber is the chief advocate of the Private Sector. As the oldest and largest Private Sector organization in Grenada the Chamber has consistently defended the rights of the business community. Businesses often encounter problems in their dealings with government bodies and other authorities. Some of these problems are serious enough to threaten the very survival of the businesses. The Chamber has been able to successfully intervene with institutions such as the Inland Revenue Department, the Customs & Excise Department and other institutions on behalf of its membership. Such interventions have been made both on behalf of individual members as well as groups of members. Advocacy is also conducted through the large network of GCIC representatives who represent Private Sector interests on Boards and other Statutory Bodies and at the regular meetings between the GCIC Board and the Minister of Finance.
Working Together With the Rest of the Private Sector
To achieve greater critical mass and be more effective the Chamber works in concert with other Private Sector organizations like the Grenada Employers’ Federation (GEF) and the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA). Together, these three bodies constitute the Grenada Private Sector Organization (GPSO). The GPSO played a decisive role ensuring that the recently enacted Labour Code gave due consideration on the rights of employers. The GPSO also prove to be effective in generating Private Sector compliance with the initiative to mobilize money to support Airlift into Grenada and assist the Tourist Industry.
If Its Business Its Your Business
Another medium through which the Chamber articulates Private Sector interest is the media. The Programme, If Its Business Its Your Business, previously run on radio and now a television programme, is an important forum not just for business education but also for Private Sector Advocacy.
Special Publications on the Economy
As the premier advocate of Private Sector interest the Chamber brings its influence to bear on the National Policy Agenda through special papers on the Economy, like the Private Sector Perspective on the Economy, published after September 11th 2001 and gaining much favourable response nationally.
Training:
Raising Private Sector Capabilities
The Chamber has been playing a dynamic role in raising the capabilities of the Private Sector and putting Human Resource Development on the National Agenda. The GCIC membership enjoys access to high quality training at discount rates. This training has covered such areas as Corporate Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Electronic Commerce, Customer Relations and Productivity. With regard to Productivity the GCIC led Civil Society in getting the Government to designate the Year 2000 as the Year of Punctuality and Productivity and to stage a National Productivity Seminar involving more than 100 participants.
Recognized for Contributing towards Educational Development
The Chamber’s contribution to Human Resource Development was recently recognized when the Chamber received an award from the Ministry of Education for contributing to National Educational Development. This award was due in part to the outstanding strides made by Junior Achievement, a GCIC project. Junior Achievement is a business simulation programme involving form IV secondary school students. The programme teaches students the rudiments of setting up and running their own businesses, as well as civic education, leadership skills and teamwork. During the last year Junior Achievement’s enrollment grew from just over 200 to 450 students throughout Grenada and Carriacou.
Information:
A Vital Business Link
The GCIC is a vital Business Information Link. The Chamber enjoys membership in a vast network of Regional and International institutions which have their fingers on the pulse of the International Trading and Industrial environment. The Chamber has upgraded its capabilities to relay information from these bodies, especially through electronic means. Efforts are currently being made to electronically circulate the Chamber’s newsletter, LINK-UP. In cases where trading or other relevant issues are sufficiently critical Special General Meetings of the Chamber are convened to provide GCIC members with the opportunity to put questions to experts or to air their views.
Clearing House For Businesses
In addition the Chamber acts as a clearing house for businesses all over the world which are seeking information about the establishing of Agencies locally or in some instances establishing contact with Potential Business Partners. The Chamber also sources information for its members about products and markets.
In recent times the Chamber has played a growing role in making representation on behalf of its members in trade disputes involving foreign parties.
Simple Practical Benefits of Membership:
Fully Funded Participation in Seminars and Trade Delegations
Members of the GCIC are, from time to time, afforded the opportunity through the Chamber to attend fully funded seminars and meetings locally and overseas. This kind of activity has the beneficial effect of qualitatively improving one’s understanding of complex trade issues. A recent example of this was the role played by the Chamber in identifying participants in a Regional Seminar on How to Do Business with Canada. The Chamber is also instrumental in sourcing assistance to members who wish to secure part funding so as to attend Trade Exhibitions, become members of Trade Delegations or in other instances gain access to Agencies that can provide help in strengthening their business operations.
BESO Consultancies
In the recent 10 years the Chamber, through its Executive Director, successfully facilitated contact between over twenty-five (25) local businesses and other bodies, and the British Executive Services Overseas (BESO). This has resulted in these businesses benefiting from Consultancies in a wide range of areas at very affordable costs.
10% Reduction on Air Jamaica Tickets
Membership in the GCIC also guarantees an immediate 10% reduction in the price of Airline Tickets purchases from Air Jamaica.
Working to Expand the Benefits of GCIC Membership
The Chamber is working to expand the practical benefits of Membership as well as the overall wider range of benefits. The strength of the GCIC and the overall capabilities of the Private Sector will increase as the ranks of the organization swells with new members and the level of active membership grows.