ISLAMIC CHAMBER RESEARCH INFORMATION CENTER
(ICRIC)
BACKGROUND
The Organization of Islamic Conference(OIC), in line with the goal of development for all, and through inspiration from the idea of “unity of the Muslim Ummah”, aiming at the promotion of cultural, economic and political convergences has launched its activity since 1962. From the very beginning, the organization has continuously taken into consideration the promotion of the commercial and economic relations among its Member States to achieve the goal of sustainable and comprehensive development. Therefore, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) have been established as an economic wing for the OIC since 1977.
From the very beginning, the Islamic Chamber has devoted its every effort to strengthen closer collaboration among OIC countries in the fields of trade, insurance, shipping, banking and promotion of joint ventures among the member states.
ICRIC INITIATIVE:
In order to promote intra-organizational and regional convergences among Member States of Islamic Chamber and in conformity with decisions made in the 8th Session of Heads of OIC Countries held in1997, Tehran, and following the Doha deliberation 37/9 –E (15 ) issued in Qatar on creation of an Islamic Common Market as agreed upon between H.E. Ali Naghi Sayed Khamoushi , President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce ,Industries and Mines and H.E.Aqeel A. Al-Jassem , Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber , arrangements were made to establish "The Islamic Chamber Research and Information Center " and later a relevant agreement was signed between two parties on October 6,2003 .
The mentioned center has been established to tackle one of the existing problems in Islamic communities which slows down the development of joint cooperation in economic, commercial and industrial fields caused by shortage of information on commercial opportunities, codes of trade, potential partners and proper fields to invest in Member States.
ICRIC STRUCTURE:
The Board of Directors of the center is composed of the following 9 representatives:
- Chairman: President of the Iran chamber
- Vice Chairman: Secretary General of the Islamic chamber
- Vice Chairman: Director General of the Center
- Members : Three representatives from Iran Chamber and three from National Chambers of OIC Member States appointed by the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber .
The representatives from Malaysia, Egypt, Jordan, have been appointed for a four-year term as members of Board of Directors in the Meeting of ICCI General Assembly held in Abu-Dhabi, Dec. 2004.
ICRIC OBJECTIVES:
The center shall undertake studies and researches in the areas such as:
1- To identify and analyze challenges and opportunities in the domain of trade and investment ,information technology and e-commerce;
2- To assist small and medium size enterprises in Islamic countries;
3- To organize seminars, workshops and training programs on changes related to new trends in the World Trade System;
4- To design training programs for ICCI in different sectors based on the actual needs and requirements of Member States;
5- To collect, compile, analyze and disseminate trade data among Islamic Countries in order to set up an economic data bank in all fields related to economies;
6- To develop and consolidate the relationship between the Center and training institutions, consultancy centers, universities and other relevant institutions in Member Countries;
7- To publish and disseminate reports , booklets and books;
8- To study and analyze Rules of Membership in WTO and active participation in relevant discussions in order to take a unified strategy among OIC and other developing countries;
9- To perform assignments suggested by Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
10- To undertake studies, projects and researches for project sponsors and entrepreneurs in OIC Countries for implementation of their joint venture projects by inter-alia, preparing the necessary documents and feasibility studies in conformity with guidelines of IDB;
11- To undertake studies and research projects on the strategies for establishment of the Islamic Common Market;
12- To contribute to the potential areas for development of cooperation in tourism in Islamic Countries;
13- To prepare studies on proposals in order to apply modern research methods to tackle economic problems in OIC Countries and provide solutions thereto;
14- To help entrepreneurs through ICCI, to be equipped with technical skills and knowledge on marketing in different fields of industry;
15- To conduct surveys to determine potential areas of competitive advantage in different sectors in OIC countries for contributing to socio-economic growth of Islamic Countries;
16- To publish and disseminate the outcomes of the Center research in OIC Countries. The Center shall establish close linkages with economic organs of Islamic Countries to further its objectives.
ICRIC Achievements and Projects
1- Launchingand up dating ICRIC website (www.icric.org) to further icric objectives;
2- IWTD project: preparing the Islamic World Trade Directory for economic, commercial, industrial and service information in Muslim World and launching its Website (www.iwtd.org);
3- MECCA project: Muslim Excellence and Competitiveness Corporations Award is to play the role of incentive motor in excellence business in Islamic Countries;
4- CRS Project: The Credit Rating System is to Design Models by a multi-fold classification based on Standard Credit assessment and to introduce Excellence agencies promote the level of them through consultancy;
5- Education:
· Holding PHD Courses in fields of Finance, Control Project, Project Management, E-Marketing… with cooperation of foreign universities.
· Holding the short-term training courses such as: Training course on e-marketing (12-15 Nov 2005)
6- Holding Economic Symposium and Exhibitions to inform about the economic activities in Islamic Countries.
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