As part of the 175th year celebrations of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Governor K. Rosaiah inaugurated the Vocational Training and Skill Development Centre, launched a Coffee Table Book and released Member's Directory 2011 on Thursday.
Presiding over the Chamber Day and completion of 175 years of MCCI, he said Chambers should build mutual networks, act as a medium to guide, caution and support businesses to grow. They should act as a bridge between the Government and investors and the business class.
Stating that the history of MCCI was inter-woven with the history of industry, commerce and economic development of the State, he said “Chambers of Commerce are the backbone of development around the world. They are the ones who convey in one voice to the policy and decision makers, the requirements and expectations of the businesses.”
Mentioning that the responsibilities of the businesses have changed from the single point of making profit to work for the triple bottom line – the planet, people and profit, he said, “Chambers should act as a medium to channelise the corporate social responsibility initiatives of the member companies so as to ensure inclusive growth for better results.”
Commending the MCCI's efforts in establishment of vocational training and skill development centre, he said the chambers' role and responsibility should be manifold and in tune with the State's progress.
T.T. Srinivasaraghavan, MCCI president, said the history of the chambers in reality reflected the history of business and enterprise of Madras Presidency.
He also described the launch of Vocational Training and Skill Development Centre near Sriperumbudur as the flagship initiative undertaken during the year.
They were discussing with various donors and sponsors to make it a reality.
He added that MCCI had completed a detailed study on port infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and that would be released soon.
Over the next six months, they would be undertaking a study on Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
In the keynote address, S. Sandilya, Chairman, Eicher group, said for the last few decades the environment was abused by everyone and it was time to take corrective steps.
V. Sriram, the author of Coffee Table Book, said it dealt at length with the formation and evaluation of the Chamber, the role played by it in the infrastructural development of the State, particularly the port, railways, roadways, post and telegraph among others.
The book also spoke about the transformation of the Chamber from the pre-independence era to the post liberalisation era. The first copy was received by MCCI immediate past president Srinivasan K. Swamy.
The occasion was marked by the Governor honouring past presidents and secretaries.
