IsCham History
The idea to establish IsCham, The Israeli Chamber of Commerce in China (under establishment) was brought up many times within the Israeli business community in China before it came to fruition. However, in September 2006, a Chinese business man reignited the discussion by putting budget and effort and tries to establish it by himself, and from there the process was unstoppable.
Initial meetings and draft plans were discussed by a small group of activists including Mr. Mickey Mushinsky, Mr. Gal Furer, Mr. Dror Poleg and Mr. Oded Arbel (then the head of Israel's trade mission to China). These co-founders initiated the process and with the support of the Israeli embassy in Beijing, all the Israeli businesses in China were invited to attend a general meeting and to elect a committee that would establish IsCham.
On August 2007, representatives from more than forty companies elected the preparatory committee for IsCham, and appointed Mr. Mickey Mushinsky as the chairman, Mr. Gal Furer as the legal advisor (and later on also as the vice-chairman), Mr. Dror Poleg, Mr. Ami Dotan and Professor Avrum Erlich. Mr. Oded Arbel, was appointed as the observer of the committee's activity.
The committee began its work, met with other chambers in China and drafted a proposal for the financial, structural and operational guidelines of IsCham. This proposal was discussed in several meetings with representatives of Israeli companies in China and based on the consensus among the participants the preparatory committee commenced the active stage of IsCham. The first step of the committee was taken on June 2008 by appointing Ms. Einat Tzur and Ms. Talya Shaharabani as the first managers of IsCham.
On August 10th, 2008, IsCham was launched at the Israeli Embassy in Beijing, with the presence and blessing of the President of Israel, his Excellency Mr. Shimon Peres, and the Israeli Ambassador to China, Mr. Amos Nadai, who attended the event as guests of honour. During its first stages IsCham organized various activities and events for its members and guests at an average pace of two events per month. By November 2009, after just over one year of activity, IsCham had almost 60 registered members and two annual sponsors; BCID - headed by Mr. Sam Muller; and S&F Law – headed by Mr. Edouard Schmitt Zur Höhe.
On November 2nd, 2009 IsCham went through a significant restructure process in which it established its first branch in Beijing and at the same time the elections to the steering committee of Beijing branch were held. Under the new structure IsCham became the roof organization that will continue to coordinate and supervise the operation of its branches as well as develop new branches and plans on the national level. The branches will help IsCham by being the executioners of the daily activities and the main point of contact for the members’ requests.
