Co-ordinator of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers (CRBC) Jai Leladharsingh does not believe the body is in danger after several of its members dropped out.

In a statement, he said the purpose of the formation of the body was to give smaller chambers to speak with one voice on matters that affect the business community and to sensitise the national community on the importance of the small and medium-enterprise sector as well as family-based businesses.

Leladharsingh said, 'The confederation has participated in government forums and budgetary consultations. We have a very good working relationship with the Minister of Trade and the Attorney General. In addition, the confederation enjoys a great collaboration with the joint chambers.'

His statements came after several chambers opted out of the confederation, citing a difference in interests and policy measures within the organisation.

The Arima and San Juan Business Associations, Chaguanas and Greater Tunapuna Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Couva/Point Lisas and Sangre Grande Chambers of Commerce, Petroleum Dealers Association and the Petroleum Dealers Co-operative Society said they were longer members of the confederation and the views it expressed did not represent those of their organisations.

They said in a joint statement, 'While groups with similar aims working together is a concept that we all support, we have collectively decided to withdraw from CRBC as it does not align with the goals and objectives of our respective organisations. We wish CRBC all the best in future endeavours.'

Speaking with Newsday on Tuesday, president of the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Mukesh Ramsingh explained that decisions being made by the confederation did not reflect some of its members, but were being portrayed as doing so in the public domain and through media outlets.

He said that conflict was one of the main reasons his chamber decided to leave.

'When we sat down with them, there were policies within the confederation that we did not agree with and did not really see eye-to-eye on. Some of the comments that are usually made from the confederation were done without proper consensus from all the presidents.

'We were told by the incoming chairman of the confederation that the policies we had issues with were going to change, but eventually we realised there were no changes.

"The Couva/Point Lisas Chamber then decided to stay out of the confederation, until the raised issues were resolved.'

Mukesh added that at this time, the other chambers which have resigned from the confederation had no intentions of forming a similar body but would continue to work with all chambers for the betterment of businesses in their respective regions.

'We would work with any chamber that has a positive contribution to make to the communities, businesses and the country. The chambers that left the confederation all work closely. But there was no intention to form another body like that.'

The San Juan Business Association (SJBA) said its withdr