History

1836
1836

29 th September 1836 the Madras Chamber of Commerce is formed with 18 members and Mr John Alves Arbuthnot as the Chairman at the offices of Binny &  Co.

1865
1868
The first proposal emphasizing the importance of a harbour in Madras was mooted by the Madras Chamber members. The proposal was taken up after seven years by Her Majesty’s government
1868
1869

“The Mail” becomes the official organ of the Madras Chamber and the European Mercantile
Community

1886
1886

Golden Jubilee year is celebrated with much pomp in the presence of the Governor of Madras

1904
1904

The Madras Chamber was actively involved in the civic administration of the Madras Corporation
by nominating Commissioners to the civic body.

1914
1914

The Madras Chamber is instrumental in developing the Southern Railways arm of the Indian
Railways. It also advocated for the inclusion of a permanent member of the Railway Board.

1920
1920

The Madras Chamber promotes the Associated Chamber of Commerce & Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM India)

1936
1936

Madras Chamber celebrates 100 years with a centenary volume containing the role of the Madras Chamber in Railways, Port, Telecommunications, and other mercantile developments of Madras

1940
1940

The Chamber supported the formation of the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI)

1948
1948

Madras Chamber had strongly opposed the nationalization of industries by the Government and promoted the idea of private enterprise being more beneficial for the industry

1965
1965

Madras Chamber elects its first Indian President – AMM Murugappa Chettiar

1965
1965

The Chamber was instrumental in supporting the government initiative of the Industrial Revolution of Madras

1967
1967

The Madras Chamber rechristened itself The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

1977
1977

The Chamber began expanding its membership to include electronics industries, and media and advertising firms.

1985
1985

The Madras Chamber moves to its current premises in Karumuttu Centre, Anna Salai.

1986
1986

Campaigns for environmental consciousness marked the 150 years of the Madras Chamber. It also becomes a member of the Indian Arbitration Council.

1998
1998
The Chamber gets its first woman President, Ms Mallika Srinivasan, Chairperson of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd.
2000
2000

Madras Chamber Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation Centre (MAMC) comes into being. The Chamber was one of the first few organizations to provide arbitration services for resolving commercial disputes.

2006
2006

The Chamber focussed on creating programs to develop an employable workforce to match the fast-changing economic landscape.

2010
2010

The Madras Chamber brings in its first woman Secretary General, Ms K Saraswathi.

2011
2011

In its 175 th year, the Madras Chamber developed a Coffee Table book to recap its work and associations since its inception. A Skill development program is started to further its services to its
members.

2021
2021

2021 – Inauguration of the exclusive premises of MAMC with arbitration halls with state-of-the-art
infrastructure

2024
2024

Global investor meet

Finding its start in 1836, the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the oldest in South India. It is the promoter and affiliate of The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), New Delhi, and a member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi. It is also a Constituent of the Consultative Committee of City Chambers of Commerce, Chennai, and a Life Member of the Indian Council of Arbitration.

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