Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has announced programs and events for the year 2015 targeting some 4,000 small-scale investors.



The chamber will also train entrepreneurs to help them tap the local job market and face many challenges and obstacles.



JCCI Deputy Chairman Ziyad Al-Basam said the training would focus on personal development as well as management and marketing skills. They will also be given assistance to generate capital with the help of financial bodies.



The small-scale business sector, said Al-Basam, accounts for 60 percent of job opportunities in the labor market and is currently receiving support from the government bodies, such as the Industrial Development Fund, Saudi Credit and Saving Banks and the Human Resources Development Fund.



The JCCI has lately signed an agreement with the charity group “Harafia” (Handmade), under which young Saudis will receive training to help them turn their handmade products into profitable enterprises.



Muhammad A-Suwailih, head of the Young Businessmen's Committee at the JCCI, stressed the importance of organizing annual exhibitions exclusively for small businesses. These exhibitions will open a channel of communication between the small businessmen, government bodies and major companies, said Al-Suwailih.



He hoped the exhibitions would give young businessmen the necessary support and encouragement to grow and become independent.



According to estimates, 80 percent of business ventures in the Kingdom are small enterprises with a total investment value of SR250 billion and 4.5 million employees.