The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is upgrading services for its members and enhancing its image, Saleh Kamel, chairman of the JCCI, said recently.

“We have around 70,000 members. We should help them do their business in a good and easy way,” he told Arab News on the sidelines of a function at the chamber's headquarters on Thursday. “This is one of our efforts to fulfill our responsibilities to them,” he said.

Ziad Bassam Al-Bassam, a board member, said: “It is good to be at the opening of the new services for members.” He said many of the current services would be upgraded. There would be a focus on excellence centers for young entrepreneurs.

He said the JCCI would continue to conduct surveys to determine what its membership needs. “The chamber members think young and act young, which keeps the 67-year-old chamber young,” he said.

Adnan Mandoura, the JCCI's secretary general, said: “We are launching a new identity and new services. The first strategic goal is to take care of the nearly 70,000 members,” he said.

He said the cost of the revamp was negligible compared to the benefits, which includes reducing the waiting time for services. "The board members approved the project. This is not just for the headquarters but all 13 branches."

Kamel would not be drawn on the 21st elections of the JCCI, which takes place soon and includes electronic voting for the first time. A total of 53 candidates are reportedly in the fray.

This is the third poll in which women are contesting. There are nine women candidates. Arab News spoke to many candidates, who said they want to see changes in the functioning of the business body.