Jeddah Chamber Celebrates its 75th Anniversary

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its establishment 75 years ago on Jan 18, 1946, Saudi Arabia's first commercial chamber is marking a historic commercial symbol for the country. Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is celebrating its diamond jubilee at Jeddah, the Red Sea landmark city, while maintaining its special social, political and economic position.

Founded by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud (may Allah have mercy upon him), JCCI is supporting the Saudi economy and contributing in community progress and urbanization through its participation in cultural and artistic activities and women empowerment in society and trade. Thanks to its long history and board experience (established even before commerce ministry), Jeddah Chamber's members were appointed by Saudi government as ministers of commerce, economy and finance more than once throughout its history.

Mohamed Reda, JCCI first chairman, was appointed in 1953 as the first minister of commerce when it was established at the time of King Saud. In the reign of King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, Mohamed Ali Al-Awadi, JCCI chairman at its eighth and ninth session, was appointed as a minister of commerce in 1971.

In 2008, King Fahad bin Abdulaziz appointed JCCI chairman Abdullah Zinal as a minister of trade and industry. During the reign of the late King Abdullah and the current King Salman, the Chamber board member (2005 -2017) moved between government positions and ministries of labor, health, economy and planning.

As a part of its diamond jubilee celebration, the Chamber sheds light on being the first Saudi chamber to support and empower women by granting them the right to vote in its board of directors' elections in the early 1990s (1992) and forming the first women committee later by nearly eight years (2000).

The most prominent achievement among Saudi Chambers was in 2004 when JCCI established the first Saudi specialized center to support and empower businesswomen, Khadija Bint Khuwailid Center. Only one year later (2005), four business women joined JCCI board of directors to become the first Saudi chamber to allow board membership for women. Moreover, the JCCI became the first chamber to appoint a woman (Nashwa Taher) as the first head of a commercial committee.

JCCI diamond jubilee celebration gains importance from its remarkable role inside the Saudi society since the very beginning, not only as a coordinating body for traders, but also as an integrated social entity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aGj4wUBbAg

Media contact:
Majed Abdullah
[email protected]

SOURCE Jeddah Chamber