JEDDAH: Mohammed Abdul Qader Al-Fadl has been elected chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) replacing Saleh Al-Turki, who was relieved of his position on Saturday. The election took place in an emergency meeting of the chamber’s board of directors, with the participation of 16 members and the absence of two.
The board elected Abdullah Marae Binmahfouz as the JCCI’s new vice chairman. Mazen Mohammed Batterjee will continue in his present position as the other vice chairman of the chamber.
The meeting also elected Abdul Ghani Sabbagh as a new member of the board. He will represent JCCI at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking to reporters after the election, Al-Fadl said he would steer the chamber through the board’s remaining term of 10 months of the four-year term. “We’ll implement the plans and programs of the present board,” pledged Al-Fadl.
Al-Fadl is one of the longest-serving JCCI board members, having served two terms so far. “Everybody should work seriously during the coming period in order to confront the challenges being faced by world economies as well as to improve the chamber’s performance,” he said. “Being a house of traders, businessmen and industrialists, the JCCI plays a big role in boosting the Kingdom’s economy,” the new JCCI chief said.
Vice Chairman Binmahfouz emphasized the chamber’s plan to hold the Jeddah Economic Forum by the end of April. He said the chamber would have greater participation in social activities in the coming months.
Mustafa Sabri, secretary-general of the chamber, said the result of yesterday’s election would be communicated to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for its endorsement. “We expect the ministry’s approval within two weeks,” said Sabri. He said former Chairman Al-Turki and Sami Bahrawi, who was in charge of Jeddah Marketing Board, would continue as board members during the remaining period. The next election to the board is expected in September.
Al-Fadl, the new chairman, is a member of the Economic and Social Council for the Makkah Governorate, an honorary consul of Cyprus in the Kingdom and vice chairman of Al-Fadl Group.
