Set up in 1907, the 104-year old Indian Merchants’ Chamber is a premier Chamber of trade, commerce and industry in India, with headquarters in Mumbai. It has around 3200 direct members, comprising a cross section of the business community, including public and private limited companies and over 225 affiliated member associations through which the Chamber reaches out to over 2,50,000 business establishments in the country. IMC is also the first Chamber in the country to get ISO 9001:2000 accreditation in India.

IMC, established in the wake of the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ by our visionary business leaders, has done the country quality service during its long freedom struggle. Hence, the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi accepted the Honorary Membership of IMC. Ours is the only Chamber of its kind in the country which has this privilege. IMC has always worked towards the cause of upliftment of society, and has been organizing seminars, workshops, and conferences for the promotion of trade and investment. It has also extended its hand of cooperation to society at the time of natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, etc. IMC is always seized of the contemporary socio economic issues and makes concerted efforts to find out their best possible solution. We have been constantly fighting for “good governance”, as IMC believes that good governance is a panacea to the complex problems of India. We also publicly felicitate institutions and individuals for outstanding contribution in the areas of quality, science, technology, public service and social welfare.

Our Century of Service to the Nation has three distinct phases:

• A crucial role in the freedom struggle in the pre-independence era (1907-1947).
• A vital and an equally important role in the promotion of trade, commerce & industry in the planned economy in the post-independent era (1947-1991).
• Promotion of business to become globally competitive in the post-liberalization era (1991-2009).

IMC recently completed its Centenary celebrations, which were launched by former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. As recognition of the services rendered by IMC, a commemorative postal stamp was released by the Department of Post, Government of India. The closing ceremonies of the celebrations were done at the hands of Mr. P. Chidambaram, then Finance Minister, Government of India.

In its second century it continues to serve with ever greater zeal the cause of trade, commerce and industry, especially in terms of global trade and investment. It has signed 119 Memorandums of Understanding with leading chambers of commerce in over 50 countries. Its annual India Calling programme brings investment and trade opportunities in its target countries and in India to the attention of international business and political leadership. Target countries hitherto have included Singapore, UAE, the U.K., South Africa, Canada and Brussels (Belgium).

Our current theme is: 'Inclusive Innovation'. Programmes of the Chamber will primarily focus on this theme.