In a move aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills of young Saudi men and women in the age group of 18 to 40 years, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has launched a leadership training program in collaboration with the Giant Arabic Consulting Office.

More than 5,000 people will undergo training under the program taken up on behalf of the Center for Developing Small and Medium-sized Companies. The young participants will be imparted training and develop their skills which would help them in starting their own business enterprises or developing skills of those who already have one.

According to Adnan Mandourah, JCCI secretary-general, this is the largest number of trainees so far, with the entire group expected to be ready within two years.

Mandourah said the chamber trained around 4,000 young people on business development. The program targeted owners of small and medium-sized companies, in addition to new businessmen who are just starting up various business and commercial activities.

Mandourah said the move is part of the efforts to educate young men and women on business issues, and prepare them to face problems in running their businesses and ensure that it does not lead to failure of their ventures.

The program will focus on teaching businesspeople on how to benefit from modern technology and its deployment in business, especially since traditional methods of conducting business have become obsolete.