The Council for Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has admitted that it has “violated regulations” by failing to properly elect the chairman and vice chairmen of its board of directors. The council said the violation was that the chairman and vice chairmen positions has been passing between the chairmen of the chambers of commerce and industry of Riyadh, Jeddah and Eastern Province – known as the major chambers. This means that the chairmen of other chambers had no chance to be elected for the two positions. An official at the Makkah chamber said the communiqué of the last meeting of the chambers' chairmen stated that while it was a “tradition” for the major chambers to get the two positions, this “violates regulations”. The council had previously rejected requests from other chamber chairmen to run for the positions. The council has now decided to implement regulations and give all members a chance to run for the top spots. It has also decided to form a committee tasked with setting standards and conditions for nominations. According to its website, the Council for Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry is the official federation for the 25 Saudi chambers. The Council was formed by Royal Decree in March 1980 with its head office in Riyadh. “Its main objective is to observe the common interests of the Saudi Chambers, represent them on local and international levels and assist in the enhancement of the private sector's role in the development of the national economy.” The Board of Directors is composed of the heads of member chambers and elected members from the board of directors of each chamber. “This (takes) the total number of members to 50 with a tenure of three years. In its first meeting the board elects its chairman and two deputies. The same chairman shall not be elected for two successive terms,” said the website.
