Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The board of directors of Okaz Organization for Press and Publication has decided to shift the present headquarters of the organization, in Al-Rehab district near the International Indian School, to another location in Jeddah.

The board, meeting under deputy chairman Nabeel Al-Hossain on Thursday, said the shifting will be made after the renting of a new building and the current building put on rent.

It reviewed the findings of its branch committee assigned to choose an alternative building in Jeddah so as to move to it the organization with all its administrative, editorial and technical departments except the printing press.

This will be done taking into consideration the needs and requirements of the organization after renting out the current building.

The board decided to invite the General Assembly to meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the organization's headquarters.

It discussed the general budget and closing of accounts and discussed the organization's performance during the final quarter of 2017.

It also tackled the steps being taken to confront the changes facing the print media and what should be adopted to cope with the developments in the electronic media to further upgrade its output.

The board considered the arrears of the organization with the other government and private parties and believed that the non-settlement of these has caused a drop in its liquidity.

It urged the management to take more measures to collect these arrears so as to meet the organization's financial obligations.

The board called for implementing the future plans to ensure the supremacy of Okaz and Saudi Gazette newspapers.

It discussed the rationalization of expenditures of the organization and its sectors including, among others, the cancelation of a number of the non-operational spending, merging some tasks and responsibilities and retrenching some of the jobs which are not required at the present phase.

The meeting was attended by the board members who are: Walid Bin Mahfouz, Dr. Tariq Fadqa, Dr. Ahmed Youssef, Hussain Shobokshi and Dr. Walid Arab Hashim in addition to the director general of the organization Dr. Walid Qattan and the editor in chief of Okaz, Jameel Dhiyabi.

Secretary general of the board Ahmed Bin Solaiman Al-Battah followed up the meeting.