About us

The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture was established in 1954 under the leadership of Late Chief C.T Onyekwelu as the pioneer President.

The overriding objective of the founders was to establish an organization that would promote the development of commerce and industry, advocate for and protect the interest of the organized private sector (O.P.S) operators, provide vital business links and statistical information to its members in particular and the business community in general within the famous commercial city of Onitsha and environ. The activities of the Chamber were severely disrupted by the civil war. However, the organization was reactivated in 1977 and has since then grown exponentially. In summary, the Chamber works as an independent interventionist agency and in that regard and capacity;

• Mobilizes the Business Community.
• Galvanizes the attention of governments and relevant agencies where necessary for the promotion of laws and policies that will facilitate achieving its objectives.
• Consistently focuses on efforts aimed at creating better/conducive environment where the OPS will operate smoothly
• Issuing members with authentic introductory letters for easier visa acquisition
• Provides the OPS operators with valuable, statistical information and partnership opportunities.

Chamber Functions

Foreign Trade Opportunities

In this area, she provides members of the business community with:

• Linkages with foreign business organizations for mutual business transactions.
• Information on foreign markets for export-oriented goods and foreign raw materials for local industries.
• Certificate of origin for Nigerian goods meant for export.
• Assistance in joint venture partnership with foreign firms.

Domestic Trade Opportunities

The Chamber’s functions here border on the following;

• Location of sources of local raw materials for manufacturing outfits as well as markets for manufactured goods.
• Providing a forum for reaching out to potential customers and clients.
• Linking members to the public sector institutions, thereby facilitating mutual relationship between our OPS and the public sector, aimed at achieving better investment environment in the state.

Business Advocacy

• The Chamber ensures that public policies are favorable to business by engaging in proactive advocacy with the relevant public sector institutions.
• Through policy analysis, the Chamber dissects public polices and regularly presents position papers to relevant government agencies, so as to ensure favorable business laws and regulations.
• The Chamber regularly issues objective comments and press releases on current socio-economic and political issues in the state and the nation.

Business Advisory Services

The Chamber advises members on all aspects of their business endeavors, including packaging of business proposals and conducting feasibility studies.

Networking

The Chamber is a forum for interaction amongst operators in commerce and industry in Onitsha and environs through which business linkages could be forged and amicable solutions found on common OPS related problems. The Chamber also networks with her parent body, the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and other sister Chambers as well as other relevant bodies.

Business Information Services

The Chamber provides all manner of vital information on business investment opportunities, government economic blue print programs, donor agency services e.t.c.

Capacity Building

The Chamber organizes training programs for members and the general business community through workshops, seminars, symposia and conferences.

Trade Exhibition

Promotion of business exhibitions and trade fairs have become one of the most important functions of the Chamber since 1987. This is achieved within the framework of the popular Onitsha Made-In-Nigeria Trade Fairs being organized by the Chamber.

Trade Missions and Liaison

The Chamber undertakes trade missions within and outside the country for members of the OPS. It liaises with commercial sections of numerous Embassies and High Commissions operating in the country, including non-governmental bilateral and multi bilateral business organizations and international agencies exploring ways of mutual collaborations between them and our OPS.