Hisham Nazer RIP!

Hussein Shobokshi Saudi Arabia is mourning the passing away of one of its greatest men with the death of Hisham Nazer. Hisham Nazer will be remembered as the architect of the base of the modern industry of Saudi Arabia. After all it was he who had the vision to create twin-city industrial hubs on both opposite coasts of the country. This was the idea behind the very successful Jubail-Yanbu concept four decades ago and until today it is still going on and is a facet in the Kingdom’s growth. He used the know-how of Bechtel, a leading American engineering firm, to come up with an avant-garde design concept that was way ahead of its time. He was also the first Saudi minister of planning, laying the ground for the master plan of the development for the country at a crucial time when the Kingdom’s income was increasing and turning a new page. He later became the minister of petroleum and minerals of the world’s leading oil producing country. He took this very crucial post at a very sensitive time for the industry. As a whole, he helped restructure the oil policy of the country and indirectly of OPEC itself. This was no easy task to do particularly with the political navigation needed to go through many ups and downs. Hisham Nazer came from an important background. His family was one of the leading Jeddah families. He went to top schools such as Victoria College in Egypt, at the time the leading preparatory school in the Middle East. He later went to UCLA in the United States for his university degrees. He was an avid reader as well as a heavyweight intellectual. He wrote an important deep book titled, “Power of the Third Degree”, which was translated in more than one language. He was beloved, respected and admired by many from all age groups and background. He was a man of great charm and clear charisma. His last post was as the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Egypt, a post where he left his mark with a well done run. He returned to Saudi Arabia to enjoy his days of retirement with family and friends. He suffered from ill health in his last days until he passed away in peace. He will be missed by all. Hisham Nazer, you were loved and admired and you will always be. Rest in peace!