JEDDAH: Kaswara Al-Khatib is a candidate for the elections of the new board of directors of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Owner and managing director of Full Stop Advertising, Al-Khatib says his struggle as a young businessman encouraged him to run for the elections. He has set up a campaign with a motto that calls for change.

“It’s time for change,” Al-Khatib’s JCCI nomination poster reads. In a five-minute video posted on Facebook, he sends out a message to his fellow businessmen and businesswomen saying that he appreciates and respects them for establishing huge businesses in Jeddah.

“But it’s time for them to pass the torch to the younger generation,” says Al-Khatib in the video. “We’re grateful to our fathers, families and entrepreneurs who created history by setting up large enterprises, but I believe in change and we ought to start from the inside.”

Asked about the problems he faces as a young entrepreneur, Al-Khatib mentioned the advertising work that he did for the JCCI in preparation for the 10th Jeddah Economic Forum.

“I completed and submitted my part of the deal. Then the forum was canceled and I wasn’t paid,” he said. “I only received my money a year later. It wasn’t a small amount. How was I supposed to function? Small sized businesses need support and guidance.”

Al-Khaitb is well known for developing and directing many public service campaigns highlighting important issues in the Arab world. He put out television announcements about the abuse of foreign domestic workers urging their employers to treat them more humanely. In 2005, he launched the public service announcement commercial “Ghiba” backbiting. This was followed by the Abdul Latif Jameel-sponsored commercial “Who Said Work is Degrading” and the patriotic commercial “What Can You Give Your Country?”

In 2002, Al-Khtib produced “Yallah Shabab” meaning “Hey, Young People,” a television program that explained to the youth how to be a good Muslim and yet enjoy life.

In his nomination speech, Al-Khatib said that the same spirit, enthusiasm and dedication that drove him to create these public service announcements should push him to create change in the JCCI if he becomes a board member.

“Change is important even if it was minor. The youth of the nation have what it takes,” said Al-Khatib. “Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

The elections will be held from Oct. 10 to 14 to pick 12 members to form the next JCCI board with a four-year term. The board will have 18 members, including six nominated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.