The 21st election of the board of directors at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) will be held following the end of the Haj season.

Prospective candidates are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the exact date so they can launch their campaign in full swing. This is the third poll featuring women candidates.

Some of the present board members are going to seek re-election. The younger generation is also enthusiastically seeking election to the board in view of the demand for youth and women in the chamber.

The Ministry of Commerce has set the minimum age of participation at 30 years of age.

The ministry may ease the age stipulation for degree holders in business management and those that have worked as entrepreneurs for at least three years. Several young candidates that meet this criteria have already approached election supervisors, who have advised them to approach the minister’s office in Riyadh or Jeddah to seek exemption and submit their documents.

The old guard has welcomed the participation of young Saudis. Ziad Al-Bassam and Fatin Bundagji, chamber members, said that the election is taking place within a healthy atmosphere with the participation of all segments of the business community.

Voting will be done electronically for the first time and there are female candidates in the running.

Established 67 years ago, the chamber has a total of 65,000 people on its payroll, of which several are women.