“We should work with the spirit of a team to implement together all plans made for the development of the city,” he told his staff.

The new mayor said the first files he would be considering were those concerning the implementation of development projects in the city.

“I requested daily reports on hurdles facing the execution of projects. I also plan to make weekly visits to the projects, especially in east Jeddah, to assess their progress,” he said. “We will work together to develop Jeddah and make it among the most beautiful and most advanced cities in the world.”

Abu Ras holds a PhD in industrial engineering and previously worked for the Jeddah Municipality. The latest position he held was secretary general of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He worked with the outgoing mayor Adel Fakieh, who has been appointed labor minister, in The Savola Group.