75th Anniversary of The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Building 1934-2009:- (2009-5)

The building which houses the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry had its foundation laid by Late Mohan Das Karam Chand Ghand Gandhi on 8th July 1934 making it the only one in Pakistan to have undergone the aforementioned. Plot 2A, Street B-3 of Size 4250 sq. yards was purchased by the Karachi Indian Merchants Assocfiation at the rate of Rs.27 per sq. yard costing them Rs.114,750. It was then called PMA Building. It is a :Historic Monument” as declared by the Government of Pakistan on 7the September 1995 under the Sindh Cultural Heritage. The first meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the National Bank of Pakistan was held in this building in 1949. The Chamber has tried its level best to preserve its originality and historical significance as the building shows signs of deterioration while the dome and surrounding minarets seem tarnished.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) was established in 1959 and it has been serving the economy of Pakistan ever since in terms of development, growth and progress. It is the premier chamber of the country which was formed by the union of four trade bodies in Karachi at that time, namely, the Pakistan Merchants Association, Buyers and Shippers Chamber, Chamber of Commerce Pakistan and All Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The Chamber is affiliated with five Industrial Town Associations namely, S.I.T.E., Landhi, Korangi, Federal ‘B’ Area, and North Karachi along with the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of commerce & Industry. The major function of the Chamber is to promote and at the same time, protect the interest of trade, commerce and industry in Karachi and those associated with it. It strives to become the cause of increased private enterprise while ensuring a two-fold raise in its contribution to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The organization’s policies and programs are determined by the 30 members of Managing Committee which are elected by the members, out of which half retire every year and in their place, new members are inducted through election. There are a total of around 16000 Corporate and Associate Members to which the KCCI provides promotional and business solutions. The President elected by the members (General Body) and the Managing Committee every year elects Senior Vice President and Vice-President. The President controls the working of office and staff and directs all matters of the Chamber, with the assistance of Senior Vice-President and Vice-President.
Since its inception, various foreign trade delegations, dignitaries and diplomats visit the KCCI and exchange views on topics that are of mutual interest. There are many seminars, training courses, and conferences on trade related subjects. Publications issued by the KCCI benefit the business community by informing the associated about developments because it represents the mainstream of economic activities in the region. There is great focus on Public Service at KCCI and it strives to further develop its image as a “results oriented metro-wide organization” as stated in its Mission.
On the eve of completion 75 years of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Building Karachi, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.4/- denomination on May 30, 2009