The Chamber was founded in 1836 by seven Britishers and three Parsees “to encourage a friendly feeling and unanimity among commercial men on all subjects involving the common good, to promote and protect the general mercantile interests of this [Bombay] Presidency, to collect and classify information on all matters of general mercantile interest, to obtain the removal … of all acknowledged grievances…” In those days there was an entrance fee of Rs 150 and a monthly subscription of Rs 20. Other objects and duties included simplification and facilitation of business practices, communication with public authorities on all matters of mercantile interest and to carry out arbitration of disputes among members.
Established in 1836, the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the oldest Chambers in the Country. Bombay Chamber has an illustrious history of 181 years. It is registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 (Section 25 of The Companies Act, 1956) a non profit organisation. Chamber has played a significant role in the development of the city. It was largely responsible for the first railway built in India-The Bombay-Thana railway completed in 1853, has representation on the Port Trust, relentless advocacy postal system led to the passing of the India Postage Act of 1854 and standardization of weights and measures, until in 1932, set up machinery for arbitration of commercial disputes in 1880, Established customs of trade.
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