Harsh Pati Singhania, Director of JK Organisation and Chairman & Managing Director of JK Paper Ltd, has been elected Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, becoming one of the few Indian business leaders to assume the prestigious global position during the organisation’s more than 100-year history.
His appointment comes at a time when India is playing an increasingly influential role in the global economy. As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a prominent representative of the Global South, India’s growing participation in international trade and policy discussions provides an important backdrop to his leadership at the world’s largest business organisation.
Accepting the responsibility, Mr Singhania described the appointment as a significant honour and highlighted the importance of strengthening global business cooperation during a period of economic transformation. He noted that international commerce requires trusted institutions capable of fostering collaboration, promoting practical solutions and supporting an open, resilient and inclusive global trading environment.
He also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing ICC Chair Philippe Varin and ICC Secretary General John Denton, whose leadership helped advance the organisation’s role in supporting international commerce. As ICC Chair, Mr Singhania intends to focus on three key priorities that reflect the changing nature of global business. These include rebuilding confidence in international trade, shaping policy frameworks for emerging areas such as digital commerce, artificial intelligence and sustainability, and strengthening the voice of the global business community within leading multilateral institutions.
His agenda seeks to build upon ICC’s well-established trade facilitation tools, including globally recognised frameworks such as Incoterms, Uniform Customs and Practice (UCP), the ATA Carnet system and international dispute resolution services. These standards continue to play a critical role in simplifying cross-border trade and providing businesses with greater certainty in international transactions.
Another important area of focus will be the ICC Compact for Trade, Jobs and Growth, a business-led initiative designed to encourage stronger international commerce, improve regional representation and expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Complementing this effort are digital initiatives such as One Click, the Digital Standards Initiative and AI-enabled trade services, all aimed at making global trade more efficient, accessible and technology-driven.
Mr Singhania also plans to deepen ICC’s engagement with major international policy forums, including the United Nations, World Trade Organization, G20, G7 and BRICS, while strengthening collaboration across ICC’s extensive network of more than 90 National Committees representing over 45 million companies in more than 170 countries.
