The Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI), Penang originated in the early 1920’s and is the earliest Indian Chamber founded in Malaysia. During the turn of the 20th Century, prominent members of the Indian mercantile community in Penang comprising mainly of those from Western Indian were very active in Exports & Imports of various commodities. They were in fact holding the monopoly for onions, pulses, spices, rice, textiles and also imports and exports of betel nuts and local spices. These merchants acting as individual traders were doing extremely well and realizes the need to unite and form a group to represent their interests in matters regarding trade and commerce in the State of Penang.