Asharqia Chamber approves its annual report and financial statements for the year 2023.
Chamber, under the leadership of its Chairman of the Board, Badr bin Suleiman Al-Riziza, held its annual general assembly on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, amidst the presence of many of its members and a representative from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce. During the assembly, the chamber's annual activity report, as well as its financial and capital statements for the year 2023, were approved.
Al-Riziza stated that the ongoing developments and achievements in our national economy, driven by the Vision 2030 and its principles of diversity and sustainability, constantly urge the chamber's board and executive team to intensify efforts towards reshaping strategies in line with the requirements of the phase that has granted a larger space for the private sector in the national economy structure. This includes continuous efforts to offer innovative initiatives, programs, and activities that align with the vision and its developments.
Al-Riziza highlighted the distinguished successes achieved by the chamber last year and the initiatives it executed, stating that throughout 2023, the chamber managed to keep pace with developments, achieve successes, and maintain its excellence in fulfilling its role according to its vision and mission of achieving leadership and excellence in supporting the interests of the business sector. Initiatives were launched, forums were held, opinions were sought, and dialogues were opened on various economic topics, making it a year filled with accomplishments.
Al-Riziza emphasized that the chamber is moving forward according to an ambitious plan aligned with the national vision for economic diversification. He added that the past year witnessed an increase in the number of chamber members to 128,118, coinciding with continuous efforts to facilitate and improve the provision of services for businessmen and businesswomen, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.
During the annual general assembly meeting held by the Eastern Province Chamber under the leadership of the Chairman of the Board, Badr bin Suleiman Al-Riziza, and attended by many of its members and a representative from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, on the evening of Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the activities of the past year were discussed. During the meeting, the chamber's annual activity report, financial statements, and capital for the year 2023 were approved.
Al-Riziza stated that the ongoing developments and achievements in our national economy, in line with Vision 2030 and its concepts of diversity and sustainability, continually drive us, as the chamber's board and executive body, to intensify our efforts towards redefining our steps in line with the requirements of the phase that has granted greater space for the private sector in the national economy structure. The chamber is continuously working on providing innovative initiatives, programs, and activities that align with the vision and its developments.
Al-Riziza pointed out the remarkable successes achieved by the chamber last year and the initiatives and activities it undertook. He emphasized that in 2023, the chamber managed to keep pace with developments, achieve successes, and maintain its excellence in fulfilling its role according to its vision and mission of achieving leadership and excellence in supporting the interests of the business sector. The chamber launched initiatives, held forums, solicited opinions, and opened doors for dialogue on various economic topics, making it a year filled with achievements.
He affirmed that the chamber is moving according to an ambitious plan that aligns with the national vision for economic diversification. He added that the past year witnessed an increase in the number of chamber members, reaching 128,118 participants, coinciding with continuous efforts to facilitate and improve service delivery to both male and female entrepreneurs and ensure the highest standards of efficiency and professionalism in service provision.
The chamber was able to present about 55 specialized research studies and reports during 2023 and issued 9 working papers summarizing the state of trade relations between the Kingdom and other countries, in addition to presenting 20 visual presentations on economic developments in the Kingdom.
In the context of enhancing and developing international relations and foreign investment, the number of visits by diplomatic and official delegations to the chamber reached about 11 visits, and businessmen and businesswomen participated in 9 delegations and external events.
In the field of supporting training and localization initiatives, the Chamber's Training and Leadership Development Center implemented 44 training programs, benefiting 1104 trainees, with 151 training days and 623 training hours.
To strengthen these efforts, the Employment Center organized 8 recruitment meetings in collaboration with several business sector entities during 2023. The number of job seekers reached 2376 applicants, who applied for 1828 jobs provided by 51 companies. Additionally, the center organized the most prominent recruitment event, the "Job Fair 2023," which saw the visit of more than 20,000 job seekers competing for 8,000 job opportunities offered by around 167 companies.
As part of the chamber's programs aimed at empowering women in the business sector, the Women's Empowerment Center at the chamber implemented 58 programs and events benefiting 2844 women. It also provided 199 informational services about all economic activities and offered 31 training programs aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs and project owners.
To support the entrepreneurship sector, the Small and Medium Enterprises Center at the chamber continued to provide services, programs, and consultations, with around 680 consultations provided throughout the year. Additionally, 25 lectures, workshops, and specialized meetings for entrepreneurs were organized.
Continuing its efforts to enhance the business environment through legal consultations for its members, the chamber, through its Arbitration Center, handled 22 arbitration cases and resolved 4 cases of registered protests, settling two protests amicably during 2023.
Regarding business committees, the chamber executed 329 activities during 2023, addressing all aspects related to the concerns and challenges of the business sector. It shed light on issues across various sectors and conducted dialogues with sector partners through 16 committees and business councils. The number of programs and activities organized by the committee sector reached 129 programs and workshops, 153 visits, hosting and meetings with officials, 86 additional meetings for task forces, and 21 expanded meetings.
In conclusion of the assembly's proceedings, Al-Riziza expressed gratitude for the significant support from His Royal Highness, Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of the Eastern Province, for all the activities and initiatives launched by the chamber, highlighting his keenness to support the private sector and stand beside it, as well as to open up more avenues for work and investment. He also thanked His Royal Highness, Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province, and praised the vital supportive role of the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi. Al-Riziza extended his thanks to all government agencies and other entities that made significant contributions and left clear marks on many projects initiated by the chamber during the past year.
