About Chamber of Commerce

The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) was established in 1925. In 1927, the ECCI was accepted as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce. The ECCI operated as a successful organization until 1940, when the Chamber and all other private organizations were forced to close down by the Soviet occupation.

In 1989, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was re-established with some hundred members as a private, voluntary membership Chamber. Today, the ECCI is the largest business representation organization in the country. The ECCI today has over 3500 members. More importantly, according to a study carried out by Krediidiinfo (Credit Info Estonia), the net turnover of the ECCI members makes more than 41% of the net turnover of ALL Estonian companies, the owner's equity of the ECCI members makes total about 36% of the capital of all Estonian companies and net profits equal 42% of that of all Estonian companies. The ECCI's members account for over 85 percent of Estonia's total exports. These enterprises are predominantly in the textile, metal, timber, construction and food industries.

The majority of the ECCI's membership represents small and medium size businesses – 95% are SME-s.

The mission of the Chamber is to develop entrepreneurship in Estonia. The ECCI is an active partner to the parliament, government and ministries in designing the economic policy and climate. Whenever tax policies, corporate law, laws on property and obligations, foreign trade and EU-related issues or professional qualification are discussed, the Chamber speaks actively on behalf of the Estonian business community.

The ECCI provides many business-related services – consultation (legal, foreign trade, EU-related), business match-making (trade missions, trade fair visits, B2B meetings, presentations), information services (business contacts, co-operation proposals etc.), training and foreign trade documents.

The ECCI also hosts the Arbitration Court, which is the only permanent arbitration court in Estonia.

The ECCI has offices in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Jõhvi and Kuressaare. It employs 30 people.