Hajjar to head IDB

JAKARTA: The Council of Governors of the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) unanimously elected here Wednesday Bandar Hajjar, the Kingdom’s former Haj minister, as its new president.
Hajjar thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for the new role he has been given.
He replaces long-serving Ahmed bin Mohammed Ali, who has retired. Addressing the meeting, Saudi Minister of Finance Ibrahim Al-Assaf paid tribute to Ali, citing his dedication, impartiality and hard work during the more than 40 years he served the regional financial institution.
Hajjar has a degree in economics and political science from King Saud University in Riyadh with first degree honors, a master’s degree in economics from Indiana University in the United States, and a Ph.D. in economics from Loughborough University in England.
He was undersecretary in the economics department at King Abdulaziz University between 1995 and 1998, deputy president for research in Islamic economics at the same university from 1992 to 1995, and headed the external affairs committee in the Shoura Council.
He was later appointed deputy chairman of the National Human Rights Society between 2004 and 2005, and then as president in 2005.
A royal decree was issued in December 2011 to appoint him minister of Haj. He also served a stint as minister of culture and information.