Jamshedpur, July 27: Efforts of the Federation of Jharkhand Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) to persuade two business bodies in Singhbhum and Seraikela to join it appears to be paying dividends.

The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI) and Seraikela-Kharsawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SKCCI) are toying with the idea of joining FJCCI, the organisation representing more than 60,000 businessmen across Jharkhand.

If the two chambers join FJCCI, there will be 85,000 members.

FJCCI has been trying to convince the two chambers to become members since Jharkhand was formed in 2001. But internal politicking within the two chambers of commerce have prevented them from joining FJCCI.

SCCI general secretary Suresh Sonthalia told The Telegraph that his organisation was ?seriously considering? affiliation with the FJCCI.

SKCCI president A.K. Srivastava said he has sent a formal letter to FJCCI for affiliation.

Arjun Jalan, president of FJCCI, said he was pleased at the results.

?It will be a boost to the trade bodies,? he said, ?Jamshedpur is the financial capital of Jharkhand while Seraikela-Kharsawan is the hub of many major industries?.

Pointing out the benefits of association with the umbrella organisation, Sonthalia said: ?FJCCI has been doing a good job of fighting for the cause of business and trade in the state. This has made us think seriously about getting ourselves affiliated with it,? he said, adding, ?this will help build a better business and trade atmosphere in Jharkhand?.

SKCCI chief Srivastava said: ?Attaching ourselves with FJCCI, which has its headquarters in Ranchi, will facilitate better co-ordination with them and also with the other trade bodies across the state. This will further strengthen our cause.?

?I hope this merger will benefit all the businessman and trade organisations of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, where a large number of industries are coming up,? he added. FJCCI was earlier known as Chhotanagpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, which was set up in 1962.

However, after bifurcation, it became FJCCI in 2001. All 70 trade bodies of the state, except the two, are affiliated to FJCCI, which was struggling since its inception to bring the two under its fold. However, this seems a reality now. FJCCI is an affiliated body of Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries.