JEDDAH, 16 March 2004 — The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is starting a new era of efforts aimed at business growth, development, investments and closer relations with chambers of commerce locally and abroad, according to JCCI Chairman Adel Faqeeh.

Giving a presentation on “JCCI: Your Business Partner,” at a meeting of the French Businessmen’s Group of Jeddah (CAFDA), at Al Hamra Sofitel Hotel on Saturday, Faqeeh said the chamber was being restructured in order to be a key driver for economic growth and business development, and to become a role model as a premier public service organization.

“The chamber is determined to become an ideal business partner for the business community, and become a catalyst for training and Saudization,” he said.

Faqeeh added, “our customers are our members, the business community, the community at large, and government and foreign entities.”

A general manager position has been introduced. Faqeeh explained that earlier the secretary general, besides his other numerous duties, was burdened with many activities that will now be handled by the GM. “The GM will focus internally,” he added.

The JCCI has asked people to give it their feedback, and has enlisted the services of advisers to research the leading world class chambers of commerce, their structures and typical core activities, and has held a series of workshops to introduce new concepts.

The JCCI is developing a partnership with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and has started talks with them to open a permanent desk there to enable increased access to Jeddah market.

Robert Tissot, CAFDA president presented a honorary membership card to Faqeeh.

“We have close and friendly relations with the JCCI with which we organized a catalog show this year that was a great success,” Jan Wiet, French consul general, said.

He said that a delegation of MEDEF is scheduled to visit the Kingdom from April 24-27.

“The potential of Jeddah is high and we trust JCCI will help a lot to enlarge the scope of our mutual cooperation,” he said.

Paul Adoue, economic and commercial counselor, said the bilateral trade between the two countries totaled 4.82 billion euros in 2000, 3.93 billion euros in 2001, 3.79 billion euros in 2002, and 3.56 billion euros last year. He explained that the amount was decreasing because of the euro problem.

He added that French investments in the Kingdom total $400 million, mainly in banking, dairy products, mineral water, electrical equipment and leisure clubs.