Our Journey

SICCI’s journey begins in 1924, when a small, dedicated group of Indian businessmen came together to form an association to better protect, advance and unify the interests of the Indian business community. First known as the Indian Merchants Association (IMA), the organisation played a pivotal role in serving as a rallying point for Indian businesses in Singapore.

On 26 August 1935, under the presidency of Mr. R Jumabhoy J P, the IMA was renamed as the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). A further two years later, in 1937, the ICC incorporated as company in under the Companies Ordinance.

In 1971, in order to better reflect the evolving nature of its work and role in the community, the ICC was renamed the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce (SICC).

In 1991, the Chamber underwent a further, final name change, into the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI).
SICCI continues on its journey of aiding its members and partners in achieving new heights of business excellence. 

As the Indian Merchants Association (IMA), the organisation started out in small, rented room in an old building in Malacca Street, where Republic Plaza now stands. In 1937, when it was incorporated as the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Chamber found its home in a new, more spacious residence at 4 Raffles Quay.

The Chamber moved twice more in the 50s and 60s; once in 1953, moving to 94B Robinson Road, and once more in 1963, when it finally acquired its very own three-storey building, at 55 Robinson Road.

In 1984, the Chamber acquired an office space in the Tong Eng Building, Cecil Street, where it set up a Trade Documentation Centre. The Centre also served as an ideal venue for the Chamber’s numerous conferences, seminars and training sessions.

In 2007, the Chamber acquired a property in 31 Stanley Street – a three-and-a-half conservation building located in the Central Business District, which the Chamber has since called its home. With its strategic, highly-accessible location right in the heart of business in Singapore, the Chamber is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including the Small & Medium Enterprise Centre (SME Centre @ SICCI), which aims to foster enterprise development amongst its SMEs.

The SICCI Board of Directors has had the privilege of being chaired by successful and prominent members of the Singapore Indian community. Each of these leaders, with support from their Boards, has played a catalyst role in helping SICCI develop into a premier chamber of commerce and industry.Since 1935, 19 committed and dedicated individuals have been Presidents or Chairmen of the Chamber with several of them serving as for more than one term.

The SICCI Secretariat leadership is vital in ensuring the continued progress and development of the Chamber. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the head of the SICCI Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Chamber. Working closely with the Board, the management team and the rest of the SICCI Secretariat team, he is responsible for developing programmes and initiatives, and bringing them to fruition for the benefit of the SICICI membership.