SICC - 180 years serving business interests in Singapore

SINGAPORE'S longest serving chamber of commerce celebrates the 180th anniversary of its founding on Feb 8. The Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) was founded by a handful of business people in Singapore on Feb 8, 1837.

The catalyst for the establishment of the Chamber was the proposal by the East India Company - then the government of the day - to impose taxes without representation. These taxes would have removed Singapore's free port status, undermined free trade and adversely affected Singapore's attractiveness as a business and transshipment hub.

The founders of the Chamber successfully argued their case. Singapore remained a free port. This laid the foundations for the sustainability of business in general and for Singapore's development as an entrepot.