MAKKAH: The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) plans to hold three major economic events with the participation of international experts as part of its efforts to strengthen the holy city’s global economic position.
Abdul Wahab Mirza, chairman of MCCI, said the chamber has decided to hold the first Makkah Investment Forum, the first conference on Islamic economics and banking and the first real estate forum in the first four years of MCCI’s 20-year plan.
“We want to convert MCCI into an advanced e-chamber and create an attractive investment atmosphere in Makkah. We will also construct a new building for the chamber and a center for exhibitions and conferences,” Mirza said.
Maher Jamal, a member of the board and spokesman of the MCCI, said the 20-year plan also included administrative development and restructuring of the chamber and increasing the productivity of its staff by providing them with various incentives.
“We intend to introduce the best employee prize monthly and implement projects for financial development and improving performance and developing new investment tools for the chamber’s funds,” Jamal said.
The chamber’s technology development programs include development of its computer system and website and creation of a new database, which will be linked with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“We have set out four main goals for the 20-year plan,” said Ziyad Jameel Farisy, deputy chairman of the chamber. “They are: extending excellent service, improving work atmosphere, developing business sector and increasing chamber’s revenues.”
The chamber has adopted eight values for its internal and external dealings. They include adherence to Islamic principles, respect for time, promptness in completing work, shouldering responsibility and work as one team.
Mansour Abu Rayyash, chairman of the real estate committee at the chamber, said the first real estate forum of MCCI would be held in the beginning of next year. He said the forum would discuss 10 main topics including the current real estate investment atmosphere.
He said the real estate development in Makkah and Madinah has taken more than 40 percent of investment in the Kingdom. He estimated the total real estate investment at nearly SR8 trillion. Real estate investment in Makkah has reached SR750 billion, he added.
“Makkah witnessed the largest acquisition of land last year when properties worth SR28 billion were acquired for the new expansion of the Grand Mosque,” he said.
