When Norway gained its independence in 1905, the capital city was called Kristiania. Just three years later, in 1908, the city’s stock exchange Kristiania Børs and the business association Christiania Handelsstands Forening were the driving forces behind the establishment of the Oslo Chamber of Commerce’s forerunner, Kristiania Handelskammer.

Kristiania Handelskammer was the country’s first chamber of commerce and its purpose was clear: “to be a business council to protect and promote Kristiania’s commercial interests”. Behind the chamber’s establishment were 33 visionary business organisations from the mercantile, shipping, manufacturing, banking and finance sectors. The chamber of commerce was soon co-located with the stock exchange. In 1925, it changed its name to Oslo Handelskammer.

Originally, Oslo Handelskammer’s primary task was to lobby on behalf of the city’s business community in relation to the development and construction of communications and transport infrastructure as well as the expansion of the Port of Oslo.  As its objectives were gradually met, Oslo Handelskammer’s main focus switched to the internationalisation of the business sector.

As well as serving the business community in Oslo, Oslo Handelskammer was a driving force for the development of other parts of the Norwegian chambers of commerce movement. The Norwegian chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) was established in 1922, while the Association of Norwegian Chambers of Commerce was established in 1990 to safeguard the official position of Norway’s chambers of commerce. Through the Association of Norwegian Chambers of Commerce, the Oslo Chamber of Commerce collaborates with other chambers of commerce and business associations.

To emphasise that it is part of a global network and an international meeting place for our members, Oslo Handelskammer changed its name to the Oslo Chamber of Commerce in 2014.

Social responsibility

The Oslo Chamber of Commerce is very aware of its social responsibility and implements measures to help boost profits, while ensuring positive impacts ripple out beyond the organisation itself. At the Oslo Chamber of Commerce, we are particularly proud of our association with the “Merchants of Peace” award scheme, through our membership of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Since it was founded in the aftermath of World War I, the ICC’s vision has been that all trade should be rooted in peaceful relations. Inspired by this, the Oslo Chamber of Commerce helped to launch the Oslo Business for Peace Award in 2007. The business world’s “Nobel Prize” is awarded every year in Oslo City Hall to business leaders who contribute to peace and stability by sharing their profits with their local communities.