Corporate profile

Tasks and structure

The Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce is an organization of entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. It is a competent point of contact for the Senate, regional parliament and authorities on all aspects of business in the city. It is an organization that carries out sovereign tasks without state orders and at the same time a service provider for the economy, assisting companies with questions or problems.

Status and financing

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce is a statutory corporation to which all commercial enterprises in Berlin (except those in the handicraft industry) belong. Obligatory membership ensures that the Chamber is neutral and objective.
The Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce does not receive any state subsidies for its legally-stipulated work, but rather raises money from subscriptions, fees and charged services.

The organization

• The Plenary Assembly

The structure of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce is in line with basic democratic principles. Its highest body is the Plenary Assembly, which is elected by all Chamber members every four years. Irrespective of their size, all companies have just one vote. The Plenary Assembly lays down the guidelines of the Chamber's work, sets the rate of subscription fees, debates, and agrees the budget. It elects the President and Vice-Presidents and appoints the Chief Executive Office.

• The Board

The Board of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce consists of the President, up to four Vice-Presidents, and up to nine other members elected by the Plenary Assembly for four years. The Board debates and decides on all Chamber affairs not specifically restricted to the Plenary Assembly.

• The Management

The Management of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce implements the decisions taken by the Plenary Assembly and the Board. It is headed by the CEO, who represents the Chamber together with the President.

• The committees

The Chamber's committees support all the aforementioned bodies. They advise the Plenary Assembly, the Board, and the Management on all regional and specialist issues.