Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Three chambers of commerce signed on Wednesday a partnership to transform Makkah and Madinah into financial and business hubs of the Islamic world.

Under the patronage of Minister of Commerce and acting Minister of Media Majid Al-Qasabi and in the presence of representatives from all relevant organizations, the three chambers announced the start of the “Manafa" Partnership at a launch ceremony.

The tripartite partnership agreement is part of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s endeavors to drive the economic and social development of its members.

It will organize a series of joint events among the three parties, contributing to promoting Islamic art and creativity, and benefiting from the holy status of Makkah and Madinah to make them hubs for business events, and effective platforms for Islamic knowledge and creativity.

Al-Qasabi highlighted the desired role of the Manafa Partnership in enhancing economic cooperation among Islamic countries.

He said: “I hope that the partnership tracks would be an incentive for determination to implement diversified initiatives in order to improve the performance of chambers of commerce and strengthen our commercial cooperation and constructive economic relations”.

Chairman of the board of directors for the Makkah Chamber of Commerce Abdullah Saleh Kamel praised the strenuous efforts of the three partners.

“The title of the Saudi Vision 2030 is: 'Saudi Arabia: The Heart the Arab and Islamic Worlds, the Investment Powerhouse, and the Hub Connecting Three Continents', and we are inspired by this vision in Manafa Partnership”, Abdullah Kamel said.

In his speech at the ceremony, he highlighted the role of the tripartite partnership "Manafa" in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.

Emphasizing the importance of the Manafa Partnership in implementing the Saudi Vision 2030, Kamel pointed out the "Made in Makkah" initiative, which might be a global free zone, and "The Permanent Exhibition of the Islamic Countries’ Products and Services" as part of the initiatives the partnership intends to launch due to their alignment with the three axes of the Saudi Vision 2030.