Fatima Muhammad
JEDDAH — Forty-two families took part in the largest souk for mamoul (biscuits stuffed with dates), which concluded in Makkah on Wednesday. The three-day souk organized by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) saw the families competing on presenting mamoul in different shapes with different fillings.
MCCI Chairman Mahir Jamal said they decided to enhance the activities for productive families to help create jobs for women, matching their circumstances to provide them with a suitable income.
Abdullah Al-Ghalib, secretary-general of MCCI, said they are marking the current year as “the Year of Productive Families” to give support to these families and their handmade products by allocating special sections at various events.
"We want want to empower these families and improve their living conditions," he said.
Hashim Al-Falih, adviser to Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, pointed out that the emir has recommended setting up a location devoted exclusively for productive families and which is open all around the year. This, he noted, is to support them and promote their products.
A committee has been formed to serve the families with the cooperation of chambers of commerce and industry in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif, he added.
Al-Falih said they have an executive committee at the governorate that helps productive families and promote their products. “They have products that can compete with manufacturing companies if they were given sufficient support and professional guidance,” said Al-Falih.
He added that the chamber has documented the names of families to be able to support them. Families in Makkah, he pointed out, have different interesting products that include not only food items but also clothing and handcrafts.
Productive families in the city can benefit from the increasing number of pilgrims and visitors, he added .
