The Swakopmunder Handelskammer or Chamber of Commerce will abandon its 80 years of independent existence to join the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. About five years ago, the NCCI’s white dominance was broken with major reforms taking place, mainly pushed by other ethnic groups. This came out of necessity, firstly to modernise and unify the business representative sector and because the Namibian government made it clear, it would only negotiate with one umbrella organisation. Mariental and Swakopmund among others however opted to remain independent. During recent negotiations with the NCCI, the SCCI voted in favour of joining the national body.