JUST THE START

Saudi Arabia 2014 | ECONOMY | INTERVIEW

TBY talks to HE Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, and Founder & Chairman of the Dallah Al Baraka Group, on the Center for Development and Unemployment, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, and advancing trade among OIC countries.

BIOGRAPHY

Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel is Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, and Founder & Chairman of the Dallah Al Baraka Group. He is widely regarded as one the region’s most accomplished businessmen.

How would you characterize the successes of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) under your leadership over recent years?

This Chamber of Commerce was the first in the Kingdom, and it was already a successful entity before I came on board. All of my colleagues, past and present, have contributed to building a successful organization that has been operating now for around 70 years. When I took over five years ago, a solid infrastructure was already in place, as well as an established and prestigious name, and we are continuing to leverage this. We have a large project already underway set to officially open in 2014, namely the Center for Development and Unemployment, which will crucially provide people with an opportunity to find work. We do not believe that finding employment in itself is the only way, as we also hope to create opportunities for people to find work either by starting their own business, or by building partnerships, and I forecast the center officially opening in 2014 to the advantage of the Kingdom and the Arab region.

Aside from the many initiatives to create employment in the Kingdom, the JCCI also works to promote trade between the Kingdom and in the rest of the world. Where do you see the JCCI in a global sense?

A new location in the King Abdullah Economic City, north of Jeddah, will play a key role in developing trade between all Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) countries. I am the Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as well as the Chairman of the JCCI, and between these two chambers we have major plans to develop trade among OIC countries.

How do you perceive OIC trade as a unique niche for KSA?

We regret that trade among OIC countries has been low; it is especially a shame given our proximity and common historical relations. The ICC supports a plan that has raised the level of trade from 11% in 2008 to its current level of 14% or 15%. This is still not sufficient, and a lot of infrastructure has yet to be developed, which is what we will seek to achieve with the next project.

By 2020, Saudi Arabia will have become a very different country in the wake of numerous megaprojects. Where do you hope to see the JCCI by that year?

We will be an active player in such initiatives, and these megaprojects underway will continue in different fields. For example, we will construct a major new convention center and other facilities to advance our mission. Additionally, we will be a major player in facilitating growth and international cooperation. By inviting trade delegations and encouraging Saudi companies to take advantage of government initiatives, we hope to see many local companies expand abroad and take on joint-venture partners here in Saudi Arabia. Through the reputation we have established and on the strength of our geographic location, we will work to make a name for Jeddah as a port and an international city of commerce, and to promote Saudi Arabia as the regional economic force it already is. Infrastructure projects such as King Abdullah Port, the Economic City, the new railways, and the King Abdullah International Airport will make these goals a reality when combined with the efforts of the Chamber and businesses across the country.

JUST THE START

Saudi Arabia 2014 | ECONOMY | INTERVIEW

With a young, dynamic population—35% of which is also under 15 years of age—Saudi Arabia has an abundance of budding change agents that are gearing up to remake and remodel the country in their image, from the governmental to indsutrial level. That being said, more than a modicum of leadership is needed, which is where the following players come into account. With huge ambitions, such as making Riyadh among the best-100 cities in the world by 2030, carving out and restoring UNESCO World Heritage sites, making the Tadawul one of the world's most globally active capital markets, realigning the Kingdom's education system for the 21st century, and establishing world-class standards of transparency and accountability, these are less agents of change than custodians of a future, much-stronger political economy that will help propel the Kingdom into the rest of the century and beyond.

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JUST THE START

BIOGRAPHY

How would you characterize the successes of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) under your leadership over recent years?

Aside from the many initiatives to create employment in the Kingdom, the JCCI also works to promote trade between the Kingdom and in the rest of the world. Where do you see the JCCI in a global sense?

How do you perceive OIC trade as a unique niche for KSA?

By 2020, Saudi Arabia will have become a very different country in the wake of numerous megaprojects. Where do you hope to see the JCCI by that year?

JUST THE START

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SEE ALSO

Saudi Arabia

ECONOMY
Interview

Eye On The Sky

Saudi Arabia

ECONOMY
Forum

Change Agents

No more articles to show.

JUST THE START

BIOGRAPHY

How would you characterize the successes of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) under your leadership over recent years?

Aside from the many initiatives to create employment in the Kingdom, the JCCI also works to promote trade between the Kingdom and in the rest of the world. Where do you see the JCCI in a global sense?

How do you perceive OIC trade as a unique niche for KSA?

By 2020, Saudi Arabia will have become a very different country in the wake of numerous megaprojects. Where do you hope to see the JCCI by that year?

JUST THE START

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SEE ALSO

Saudi Arabia

ECONOMY Interview

Eye On The Sky

Saudi Arabia

ECONOMY Forum

Change Agents

No more articles to show.

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