MCCI to have SR 114 m new HQ

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday laid the foundation stone for Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s new headquarters, which is expected to cost SR 114 million.
Covering an area of 10,000 square meters, the new facility named Bait Al-Tijara (Business House) is located in the Takhassussi residential district. The project will be completed in 14 months.
Talal Abdul Wahab Mirza, chairman of MCCI, said the laying of the foundation coincides with the seventh anniversary of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s accession to throne.
He praised King Abdullah’s endeavors for the development of the Grand Mosque and Makkah. The king launched last year the largest expansion of the mosque in history, which will increase its capacity to more than 2.5 million worshippers. Covering an area of 400,000 sq. meters in the northwest and northeast of the mosque, the new expansion will cost SR 80 billion.
MCCI’s new headquarters is designed to serve 50,000 businesspeople in the city, said Mirza, adding that it would stand out as a cultural landmark, providing better facilities for the business community.
“We have decided to construct the building as part of the chamber’s 10-point development plan,” the chairman said, adding that it would serve the trade, industrial and service sectors and make use of modern technology.
The five-floor high-tech building will have seven conference halls for various activities including a large hall to conduct conferences and forums and another for staging exhibitions of products and services. It will accommodate a businessmen’s club and a training institute.
Mazen Fouad Tunisi, deputy chairman, said the new building would be called Bait Al-Tijara where all electronic services would be made available. It will also be equipped with advanced administrative tools. “The building will have a permanent exhibition center,” he added.
Saleh Kamil, chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who spoke on behalf of businesspeople, commended Prince Khaled’s efforts for the development of Makkah. “We wish greater progress for Makkah’s industry, realizing the hopes and aspirations of its people,” Kamil said.
Abdullah Al-Mubti, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers, also spoke during the ceremony and highlighted Makkah’s growing role as an international business center. Makkah attracts millions of Muslim pilgrims from all over the world every year.
A large number of real estate projects worth more than SR 100 billion are under construction in the city, including the new Haram expansion.