The Vision of Octavio de la Torre di Stefano, President of Conconaco by Francisco Ortiz Bello. Introduction. Conconaco was founded in 1917 as a confederation of chambers of commerce that had existed since colonial times, and currently represents 258 chambers, 1,000 facilities, and 2 million members nationwide, accounting for just over 60% of formal employment in Mexico. During his tenure as president, Octavio de la Torre di Stefano implemented a work plan focused on six main themes: building identity, improving the organization's image, establishing codes of conduct, promoting women's participation, and addressing issues such as extortion, overregulation, and access to financing. He also shared an anecdote about discovering an empty safe during the restoration of the headquarters building, which, for him, symbolized that Conconaco's true treasure is its founders and members, not material possessions. That, in broad strokes, is Conconaco Servitor Mexico, whose national president, Dr. Octavio de la Torre di Stefano, granted Ser Empresario an interesting exclusive interview, which we present below. History and Origin of Chambers of Commerce. Octavio de la Torre di Stefano explained the history and origin of the Chambers of Commerce, noting that they have existed since colonial times and that Canaco is one of the oldest, dating back to before the creation of the current federal states. He described how the chambers evolved from autonomous guilds to sectoral representative bodies, and mentioned that Venustiano Caranza reorganized them in 1917 to participate in the new Federal Republic. Structure and evolution of Conconaco. Octavio de la Torre di Stefano explained the structure and evolution of Conconaco, emphasizing that it represents business sectors, not individuals, with coverage in 1,857 municipalities and over a thousand facilities owned by merchants. He described how the organization split between industry and commerce in 1918 and mentioned that Juan Sanchez Navarro was a key leader in the creation of the Business Coordinating Council, CCE, in 1958. He also explained the legal difference between business chambers and confederations, noting that confederations have specific powers to represent the sector under the law of business chambers, including mandatory consultation on economic policy matters. Conconaco, organization and national presence. The national leader explained that Conconaco is an organization with over 1,000 leaders nationwide and a strong presence in several states, including Chihuahua, Tamalipas, and Campeche. He described it as a non-governmental organization whose assets are of public interest, and which operates according to private sector rules through internal bodies such as the Assembly, Council, and Committees. De la Torre di Stefano mentioned that they have participated in key historical events in the country since 1761, and that, by law, they are a mandatory consultative body for government public and economic policies. Analysis of Chambers of Commerce. The national president of Conconaco explained to Serm Presario how he identified that political leaders did not truly understand the needs of their constituents, sharing an experience where chamber presidents requested resources they were not implementing. After listening to the population's real concerns about security, employment, and housing, Octavio de la Torre di Stefano and his team conducted an analysis of the Confederation and the Chambers of Commerce. The analysis revealed that only about 15% of the population was aware of the chambers of commerce, and 75% expressed negative opinions about them. Perception and path of the sector. Octavio de la Torre di Stefano revealed the perception that the chambers are not well known despite their long history. He explained that this is because representatives focus on personal gain, such as political positions, instead of representing the sector. They established a main roadmap based on six themes, including generating identity, improving the building, creating an anthem, and establishing codes of conduct. He also stated his position on issues such as extortion, overregulation, and the complexity of the tax system, which makes paying taxes very difficult. He indicated that, in all these cases, Conconaco will always be in favor of legality, the rule of law, and the protection of its members. Therefore, as the national president of the organization, he will take all necessary steps with the relevant authorities for the benefit of Canaco's membership. Challenges of corporate social security. De la Torre Di Stefano spoke about the challenges of excessive Social Security contributions and the high costs of formally hiring employees, noting that many businesses lack access to credit and need to digitize their operations. She shared that her organization successfully lobbied for the passage of the general law against extortion and is working with the government to implement a one-stop shop for eight basic procedures. She also discussed the search for accessible financing and reduced fees, and reflected on the perception of entrepreneurs in Mexico, highlighting that most are owners of family businesses and do not fit the traditional image of a businessperson. Evolution of Canaco and Empowerment. The national leader of Conconaco explained Canaco's evolution into a movement of Mexican pride, highlighting how, during his tenure, membership has grown exponentially to 2 million members during his presidency. He shared the poignant story of when a safe was found during the building's restoration, containing a chest with a commemorative card of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the founders, symbolizing that the organization's true treasure lies in its members and founders. Octavio de la Torre di Stefano concluded by summarizing the challenges Canaco faces in addressing informal employment and unequal competition in the market, emphasizing that its focus is on empowering merchants and creating more equitable opportunities for the entire sector. Attach link or QR code of the interview on digital platforms.