Fadhl was unanimously elected new chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) by its 18-member board of directors on Sunday. Al-Fadhl replaced Saleh Al-Turki who was relieved of his post on Saturday along with Sami Bahrawi who lost the chairmanship of the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF). They were removed because they had “exceeded the regulations” in organizing last year's Jeddah Economic Forum, a JCCI source said. Al-Turki also lost his chairmanship of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisi was delegated to the post. On Sunday, Mazin Batterjee and Dr. Abdullah Bin Mahfooz were elected as deputy chairmen of the JCCI board by a majority of 12 votes after the withdrawal of four members. In the voting for Al-Fadhl, two members – Mohieddin Saleh Kamel and Mudhawi Al-Hassoon – were absent but they backed him. During the meeting, Ziad Al-Bassam, Dr. Muhammad Al-Mutlaq, Ibrahim Al-Sibei and Abdullah Ridhwan left the meeting hall within half an hour. “We attended the meeting to elect the chairman of the board and we unanimously voted for Muhammad Al-Fadhl,” said Al-Mutlaq. “Then why should the two deputy chairmen be re-elected when they are already on the job?” He said they would not resign in protest but would complain to the Minister of Commerce and Industry. Al-Fadhl, the new chairman, said he would continue the policy of the previous administration as it remains the board's policy. He said the Jeddah Economic Forum, which was put off in January after it was not granted the license to organize the event, would be held when the official procedures are completed. He did not say who would be responsible for organizing the forum. Mustafa Sabri, JCCI secretary-general, said at a press conference later that Al-Fadhl was chosen uncontested. About re-electing the two deputy chairmen, Sabri said it was in line with the regulations of the Council of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Sabri disclosed that Al-Turki and Bahrawi have not resigned from the board.
