RIYADH, 14 August — The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), which begins a new term in October, is planning to set up a businessmen’s club.
It also seeks to establish a joint-stock company, activate the performance of its national committees and make the Exports Promotion Center an independent body, informed sources said.
The sources said CSCCI would request the authorities to include its representatives in the boards of major government organizations that deal with economic matters. It will also conduct studies on major economic institutions in the country.
“The council’s future strategy basically aims at keeping pace with new economic changes at national, regional and international levels. It intends to upgrade organizational systems of chambers, especially those related to membership, finance, accounts, legal services and personnel affairs,” the sources told Arab News.
As part of its revamping efforts, CSCCI will replace employees who do not possess a university degree with graduates, except those in service and secretarial posts. The number of university graduates in the organization will be increased by 10 percent annually. It also plans to Saudize jobs at the rate of 25 percent every year.
Spelling out other future plans of the organization, the sources said CSCCI will establish an economic data center in cooperation with individual chambers. It will conduct studies on family businesses, privatization, investment system, domestic tourism, Saudization program, free-trade zones, the World Trade Organization, merger of companies and intellectual property rights.
The incoming secretariat of the council will find it difficult to implement its new dynamic plans because of financial constraints as its budget has been cut drastically from SR19.55 million to SR15.6 million.
The council plans to achieve six major goals: Enhance private sector’s role in formulating and executing social and economic development plans, participation of government agencies in boosting the business sector; finding viable solutions for the private sector’s problems; promote investment atmosphere; promote projects which are good for the country in the long term , and coordinate with other agencies to Saudize jobs in private firms.
“The council also intends to strengthen its relations with chambers by establishing a house of experts and a consultancy center and representing them effectively at government departments,” the sources said.
It plans to create independent financial resources by issuing a commercial directory, constructing own building and encouraging chambers to pay their membership regularly. At present Saudi chambers contribute SR13.17 million to the council’s budget. The remaining SR2.95 million comes from its revenues.
The council will work with chambers to promote exports, help small-scale firms and increase the presence of Saudi private sector at regional and international events.
It will also strengthen ties with Gulf, Arab and Islamic federations of chambers, the sources said.
