1. Give us some information about your organisation
Founded in 1899, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cáceres (Cámara Oficial de Comercio e Industria Cáceres) is a Public Law Body whose main aim is to defend the general commercial and industrial interests of the province of Cáceres.
The Chamber is run by a group of 29 entrepreneurs who are elected every four years by all the entrepreneurs from the Province of Cáceres. They represent the Assembly which defines all the general objectives to be reached. In this one, the President and the Executive Board are elected. The Assembly is composed of workers' commissions whose aim is to closely analyse the problems of the economic sectors and to define the objectives in detail. A group of employees and technicians headed by the General Manager oversees its starting and implementation. People, citizens, or juridical persons, who practice commerce or industry in the province of Cáceres, belong to the Chamber.
The receipts come from determined services that are directly proposed to the entrepreneurs and finance the Chamber. These services focus on the provision of specialist advice in several areas: Creation and Business Development, Internationalisation, Legal, fiscal and economic processing, public assistance programmes to corporations, partnerships with local, regional and national Governments, transfer agents and knowledge institutions. They are also promoting broad training programmes, business expertise and employment guidance.
The Chamber collaborates actively with more than 30.000 Cáceres-based companies, covering various needs through implementing services such as All-in-One Offices for Business, Innovation advice, Business Incubators, VET and Higher Training, and Promoting of Exports, and International Trade Mission. Its main objective is to develop initiatives to extend the culture of quality and innovation so that SMEs in the Extremadura Region can tap the opportunities afforded by globalisation. The Chamber serves these businesses through a network of three branches, two business incubators (temporary shelter structures designed for companies and start-ups) and two One-Stop Offices for Business (and processing for companies with national tax authorities and social security) covering the region, providing value to implement economic development programmes.
2. What inspired you to create your organisation?
I guess the Chamber was originally created as a way of lobbying in favour of the interests of businessmen in the region, with their aim to create a discussion forum in which they could express their concerns and, furthermore, in a structured way, fight for their interests as an associated entity thus enhancing their scope.
3. What is your field of expertise?
We have several departments in charge of different activities that we have been carrying out for many years. We are strongly committed to business support, entrepreneurship, training and internationalisation.
4. What is your organisation's impact on society?
As a Chamber of Commerce, we implement several projects funded by ESF, mainly addressed to NEETs, Romas or any other disadvantaged groups, fostering social inclusion. Besides being our region, Extremadura, the only one in Spain still considered less developed within the EU, we are committed to the ten shared goals of the long-term vision for the EU's rural areas, and we have joined the Rural Pact Community to reflect on how to build the Rural Pact.
5. What are some of your most important collaborations on EU Projects?
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cáceres is part of the High Council of Chambers (Consejo Superior de Cámaras), which is developed nationally, and Eurochambres, the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry Association. They develop global actions to enhance and affirm the presence of Spain in other European countries and promote cooperation in different areas.
We have developed, and are still developing, several projects at the European level, from Erasmus+ funds, Horizon, and Interreg, addressing not only the needs of businesses but also those of citizens from rural areas. Furthermore, we are participating in the Thematic Group on Sustainability Agreements created by the European Network of Rural Development.
6. What is something your organisation achieved that you are proud of?
The Cáceres Chamber of Commerce have joined the World Bank's Private Sector Liaison Officers (PSLO) network, with the aim of becoming a nexus for generating business and financing opportunities for Extremaduran companies in emerging markets. The objective of the Chamber is to train Extremaduran companies in the various phases of the multilateral bidding process: the forecast, the expression of interest, the offer, the award and, finally, the contracting.
7. What kinds of projects do you want to work on?
We would like to collaborate with projects aimed to improve the quality and professionalisation of SMEs and businesses across the region while at the same time contributing to its development and the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens.
8. What are you looking for from an EU partner?
Commitment, expertise and trustability.
To find more about the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cáceres visit their official website or social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camaradecomerciodecaceres/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/camaradecaceres
LinkedIN: https://es.linkedin.com/in/camaradecaceres
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camaracomerciodecaceres/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-AmNYw2evYRLENi_glepEQ
