Established in 1953, the Zibo Federation of Industry and Commerce is a people’s organization composed of industrialists and businessmen under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and a non-governmental chamber of commerce. It is a united front organization that assists the government in managing non-public economy, and also a bridge linking the government and non-public economic personages.

Before the country’s reform and opening up in 1979, the majority of the Zibo Federation of Industry and Commerce members had been people engaged in various types of economic and commercial activities. After the development of the non-public sector of the economy over the past 30 years, currently its memberships are largely held by enterprises and individuals of the non-public sector.

The Zibo Federation of Industry and Commerce has 9 branches at the county level, 101 grassroots branches at the urban district, community and village levels(ecdemic chambers of commerce included) ,and 28 guilds. It had more than 9,500 registered members, including approximately 4800 enterprises, by end of 2009. It has established ties with 39 chambers of commerce at home and abroad.

Major Functions of the Zibo Federation of Industry and Commerce:

★ Assist the government in managing the non-public economy;

★ Participate in political consultation of Zibo city policies and strategies in politics, economy and social affairs;

★ Guide its members in technological innovation, management and culture for enhanced competiveness and capability in achieving sustainable development;

★ Represent the legitimate rights of its members and to extend their proposals and requirements to government;

★ Provide members with services in training, financing, technology, legal consultation and information, and to resolve the difficulties and problems they are facing;

★ Build closer relations with commercial and industrial counterparts overseas;

★ Help the members to go overseas for business opportunities and contribute to China’s opening-up program.