DAMMAM, 10 January 2007 — The sixth human resources development forum jointly organized by the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI) and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) opens next Tuesday. The forum carrying the theme “Human Resources and Change Management,” will focus on the increasing importance of the leadership for change in the development of the work force.

“This will be a boost for the Saudi economy in general and the Eastern Province in particular, said Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, chairman of the EPCCI and president of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce at a press conference at the office of the EPCCI in Dammam on Monday. He added that delegates from within and outside the Kingdom would participate in the seminar sponsored by Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd.

Saud Al-Shammari, vice president for the human resources at the SEC, said that the “the forum will be a unique and successful instance of the partnership between the EPCCI and SEC.”

Adnan Al-Naeem, deputy secretary general of the EPCCI said that the seminar aimed at widening the perception of the specialists, managers and businessmen to the vital role played by the human resources in achieving progress and success.

“It also aims to focus on the modern concept and practice of the change management including the motivating factors in achieving change with a warning about the risks involved in ignoring the impetus for change.”

The discipline of change-management deals primarily with the human aspect of change. Change management envisages maximization of the collective benefits for all people involved in the change and minimizing the risk of failure of implementing the change.

Al-Naeem said the seminar would also monitor the latest developments in human resources concepts and the role played by human factors in the success of any venture.

The participants in the event will include experts from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, Saudi Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. Domestic and international experts such as Khaled ibn Omar Al-Kaf, CEO of Mobily, Nabil Al-Jami, director general for the training and development of skills in Aramco, Mansour Al-Kharboush, vice president of the joint services in SABIC, Tom Peters, internationally-known management expert, Ali Fakhrou, a former minister from Bahrain, Fawaz Al-Alamy, member of the Saudi team negotiating the Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization, Ahmad Hosni, human resources development consultant at General Motors include those who will present papers in the seminar.

Al-Naeem said that invitations have been sent to 2,500 female businessmen and administrators to participate in the event.