The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) will strive to boost trade within the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) from its current level of 13 percent of their cumulative trade by organizing Islamic trade fairs and cultural festivals as part of a multi-pronged drive in that direction. This was the message of Sheikh Saleh Kamel, the new chairman of ICCI, in his first meeting with newsmen at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. Aqeel Jassem, secretary general of ICCI, and Fahad Alslimy, assistant secretary general of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, were among those present. Earlier, Kamel said he had an audience with Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-aziz, the deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and sought support for overcoming the challenges facing the Islamic chamber. The meeting had strengthened his resolve to steer ICCI successfully despite the formidable challenges looming ahead. --MORE 1034 Local Time 0734 GMT
