JEDDAH, 3 January 2006 — Governor of Jeddah Prince Mishaal ibn Majed has emphasized the importance of ongoing meetings between service department officials at the Jeddah Islamic Port. He has called for the formation of a committee in order to provide solutions for current problems facing businessmen at the port.
During his meeting with businessmen at the Businessmen’s Club at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on Sunday, the governor emphasized the importance of such meetings in order to provide a service that is based on joint effort, consistent work and cooperation. The governor said that transparency and constructive dialogue always works in favor of boosting business and services and promoting the country’s economic development.
Prince Mishaal said that the goal of the committee and the talks was to overcome obstacles faced by businessmen (cutting procedure and expediting the process of cargo clearance) and narrowing the gap between officials and businessmen at the port. On the other hand, businessmen need to realize that there is a required procedure that they can use in speeding up the process by providing the documents needed and by following regulations.
Businessmen at the meeting said the main obstacles they face at the port and the financial losses they suffer are due to the delay in clearance procedure of their goods.
Capt. Saher Mousa Tahlawi, director of the port, revealed during the meeting that a contract would be presented to the private sector for the establishment of a Container Station estimated to cost of SR1 billion.
Tahlawi said the port was ranked 30th among international seaports in terms of providing quick and advanced services in 2004. “This is a big leap in the port’s development process, compared to 2003 when it was ranked 58th,” he said.
He said the port handled 40 million tons of cargo last year against 28 million tons in the previous year. Sulaiman Al-Tuwaijri, director of customs at the port, advised businessmen to use the department’s official website on the Internet to ensure quick clearance of their cargoes and follow-up the different stages their cargoes go through. “Our department uses the latest technology in monitoring cargo movement and providing quick clearance,” he told the meeting.
Abdullah Al-Muallami, chairman of JCCI, said his organization worked to protect the interests of its members including traders, importers and exporters and boost the country’s economic development in cooperation with other service sectors.
