About the Minority Chamber of Commerce

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

A Chamber of Commerce is a not for profit organization, consisting of a group of businesses formed to create a network of local, national, and international businesses. Most Chambers of Commerce are made up by a group of local business owners, focused on representing the local businesses of a community. The Chamber is run by a board of directors made up of members, as well as an Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Background

The Minority Chamber of Commerce is located in Miami Dade, Florida with multiple offices, both domestically and internationally in the Western Hemisphere. A Business Membership Organization with more than 700 members, we are a non-profit organization aimed at promoting minority business development, workforce training and education, job growth, and workplace diversity.

The Minority Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of local and international small businesses, as well as a broad list of industries. The Chamber is comprised of membership by over 3,000 businesses, professionals and organizations with local and international business behavior. Membership represents businesses of mixed backgrounds, goals, and objectives.

A stronger economy for the Minority business community

The Minority Chamber of Commerce focuses on creating a robust economy through minority development initiatives, business alliances, networking events, and educational seminars for the minority and general business community.

Minority Business Advocacy

We constantly look after the best interests of minority business owners by advocating to local, state and federal government on behalf of minority business owners and small business owners. In addition, we promote minority business enterprises and small business owners in a national spectrum through the many different events we produce and far reach of our digital medias like the internet.

International Business Outreach

The Chamber's goal in international business is to generate job growth and economic development in the region, from U.S to Honduras and from Honduras to U.S, by expanding, Investment, Importing, and Exporting from regional small companies and development programs in rural area.

We are focusing our investment into helping foreign countries plan and legislate measures which are helpful for the development of businesses in their countries and create our international programs seek to promote economic growth in both nations by encouraging and assisting local businesses to expand into international markets. The Chamber works closely with numerous state and local partners to enhance the U.S and Latin America and Caribbean partnership.

The Minority Chamber of Commerce provides assistance to start-up and existing businesses in the areas of:

• Business Plan Development
• Business Management
• Logistical operation to Honduras
• Data Profile from Honduras
• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Management
• International Trade
• Professional/Technical Referrals
• Information & Resources
• Export & Import information
• Mentorship
• Training
• Compliance with Government Paperwork

International Seminars

Throughout the year, the Chamber presents various seminars for area businesses to assist them with exporting their products and investment opportunities. Some of these seminars are country specific while some are industry specific. Other training seminars cover the mechanics of exporting such as certification, financing, locating distributors, methods of payment, export documentation and transportation. Our commitment is to provide to Honduras a real education to facility business for next levels.

• Business Plan Development
• Business Management
• Logistical operation to Honduras
• Data Profile from Honduras
• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Management
• International Trade
• Professional/Technical Referrals
• Information & Resources
• Export & Import information
• Mentorship
• Training
• Compliance with Government Paperwork

Certificate of Origin Program

Every country in the world considers the origin of imported goods when determining what duty will be assessed. Chambers of commerce attests to the origin of goods by embossing their seal on a document called the certificate of origin. The Chamber processes certificates of origin for area manufacturers to export their products. The Chamber's standard procedure is to stamp our seal on a manufacturer's document, upon demand, if the manufacturer brings to the Chamber the original certificate, a copy of the certificate, and an accompanying invoice for the certificate.

We document the value of the shipment and assign an internal number to the certificate. We maintain for our records, a copy of the certificate itself plus the invoice. Some of these documents may also need to be notarized. Our U.S members receive this support free.

Small Business Assistance in U.S.A

IRS Workshops - The IRS offers workshops on federal forms and requirements for small businesses and employers. Sometimes, a state representative is available to answer a few questions. For information, dates and location, call the IRS tax assistance hotline at (800) 829-1040.

Small Business Administration (SBA) - The SBA has a free "Start-Up Kits" which lists SBS publications on business development, business resources and describes SBA loan programs. The SBA also co-sponsors management-training programs with local colleges and private firms. Minority Business Development Centers http://www.mbda.gov/ is federally funded agencies which assist prospective and existing businesses owned by minority and economically deprived persons on business matters. Assistance is provided on a sliding scale fee basis. Services are available to both the established business and those who are thinking of starting a business.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — Part of the Small Business Administration, SCORE volunteers provide free business counseling to new or existing businesses. Call the SCORE Association toll free at (800) 634-0245 to find the SCORE counseling location nearest you.