User:Kevin at BelgianChambers/sandbox

The Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce (Belgian Chambers) in French Fédération des chambres de commerce belges, and Dutch Federatie van Belgische Kamers van Koophandel, is the Belgian umbrella organisation of chambers of commerce. Its headquarters are located in Brussels.

Chambers of commerce, nonprofit associations, collectively and individually represent and defend companies, self-employed persons and traders. They provide them with new services useful for their business, are a meeting place and a source of development and growth.

History
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce was founded on 1 August 1875 as an umbrella organisation under private law. It was then called the Fédération nationale des Chambres de Commerce et d'Industrie de Belgique. This decision took place after the Belgian state decided, earlier that year, to abolish the public law chambers, arguing that they defended regional or private interests. The country's businessmen quickly reacted and created trade associations, often called chambers of commerce that flourished and then federated. At the end of the twentieth century, the Federation took over the role of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce Abroad and set up an accreditation system firstly for local chambers of commerce, which began a merger process, then for bilateral Chambers of Commerce.

Goals
The Federation defends the interests of the 13 Chambers of Commerce of Belgium and 33 Chambers of Commerce of Belgium and Luxembourg abroad. It supports chambers in their role as business service providers, and its accreditation programme enables it to guarantee the quality of their services. The Federation also participates in the development of new programs and services (e.g. DigiChambers ).

The Federation's operations are based on three main areas:


 * Export formalities: the Federation coordinates the issuance of Certificates of Origin by Chambers. It is also, at national level, the organisation responsible for guaranteeing ATA Carnets.
 * International business: the Federation's international network, in particular its membership of Eurochambres and the World Chambers Federation, provides support to chambers and, as a result, to exporting companies.
 * Sustainable enterprise: the Federation aims to encourage chambers to set up, in collaboration with companies, projects that respond in a sustainable way to societal challenges.

Moreover, the Federation has concluded structural agreements with FPS Economy as well as with the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise, whose underlying aim is to improve the competitiveness of the Belgian economy.

Accreditation
Each chamber of commerce has its own identity, depending on its members and region. However, through its accreditation program, the Federation ensures that each person performs their duties in a professional and qualitative manner. Accreditation is a prerequisite for membership.

Accreditation of local chambers of commerce
The accreditation of local chambers of commerce in Belgium is based on 12 principles that all must respect. These principles are clearly described in an accreditation program. These include for example the need for internal quality control, financial stability and sufficient membership, the presence of a communication centre and the need to take into account the social responsibility of the Chamber and its members.

Accreditation of bilateral chambers of commerce
The accreditation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce abroad is based on three elements: corporate governance, the presence of a quality service and the maintenance of constructive cooperation with diplomatic posts abroad. This accreditation is carried out in close collaboration with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, as most bilateral chambers also defend the economic and commercial interests of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Accredited Chambers of Commerce in Belgium

 * BECI - Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Bruxelles
 * Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de la Wallonie Picarde
 * Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Liège-Verviers-Namur
 * Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Brabant Wallon|
 * Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Hainaut
 * Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Luxembourg belge
 * Industrie- und Handelskammer Eupen-Malmedy-St.Vith
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Antwerpen-Waasland
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Mechelen-Kempen
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Oost-Vlaanderen
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Vlaams-Brabant
 * Voka - Kamer van Koophandel West-Vlaanderen

=
Belgian-Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce Abroad =====


 * ACP Countries - Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Belgium-Luxembourg-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific
 * Arabic countries - Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
 * Armenia - Belgian-Armenian Chamber of Commerce
 * Canada - Chamber of Commerce Canada-Belgium-Luxembourg
 * Central America - Chamber of Commerce Europe-Central America
 * Chile - Belgo-Chilean Chamber of Commerce
 * China - Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
 * China - Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China – Bencham (Pearl River Delta)
 * China - Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China – Bencham (Beijing)
 * China - Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China – Bencham (Shanghai)
 * Congo (DRC) - Belgian-Congolese-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
 * France - French-Belgian Chamber of Commerce North of France
 * France - French-Belgian Chamber of Commerce South of France
 * Germany - German-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
 * United Kingdom - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain
 * India - Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 * Ireland - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Ireland
 * Italy - Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce
 * Ivory Coast - Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Côte d’Ivoire
 * Japan - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan
 * Morocco - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Morocco
 * The Netherlands - Dutch Chamber of Commerce for Belgium and Luxembourg
 * Pakistan - Pakistan-Belgium Business Forum
 * Peru - Belgo Peru Chamber of Commerce
 * Poland - Belgian-Luxembourg-Polish Chamber of Commerce
 * Portugal - Portuguese-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
 * Romania - Belgian Romanian Chamber of Commerce
 * Russia and Belarus - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce for Russia and Belarus
 * Spain - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona
 * Spain - Chamber of Commerce of Belgium and Luxembourg in Spain
 * Turkey - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Turkey
 * Vietnam - Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
 * Vietnam - Belgian Vietnamese Alliance