Asharqia Chamber organized an open meeting with the Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel, during which he reviewed the Federation’s recently launched new strategy, which aims to enhance institutional and operational efficiency, strengthen integration among chambers of commerce, expand strategic partnerships locally and internationally, support export growth, attract investments, and develop trade exchange.
The meeting, held on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the presence of Chairman of Asharqia Chamber’s Board of Directors, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, addressed the challenges facing the private sector and ways to provide solutions through the relevant national committees, in addition to discussing the Federation’s directions for the next phase, aimed at enabling chambers of commerce and the business sector to keep pace with economic transformations.
The meeting was attended by the Federation’s First Vice Chairman, Emad Al-Fakhri, Second Vice Chairman, Khalid Al-Saikhan, a number of Federation officials and members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, as well as businessmen and businesswomen in the region.
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel, said that the launch of the strategy comes within the national directions to enhance the role of the private sector in development, stressing that it represents a qualitative shift that enables chambers of commerce and the business sector to keep pace with economic transformations and strengthen their presence locally and internationally.
He added that the preparation of the strategy was based on a scientific methodology that included analyzing the current situation, reviewing international best practices, and engaging stakeholders, in a way that addresses challenges and reinforces institutional sustainability.
For his part, Chairman of Asharqia Chamber, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, said that the private sector is witnessing historic leaps as a strategic partner in development, as its contribution to the gross domestic product has risen to 51%, with an actual value of SAR 2.476 trillion. He emphasized the important role of chambers of commerce, which have played a major role in achieving these exceptional figures by enabling the business sector, stimulating investments, addressing challenges, and presenting views in line with the objectives of the ambitious Vision.
Al-Farraj indicated that, as an extension of this momentum, the new strategy of the Federation of Saudi Chambers comes as an institutional model based on efficiency, sustainability, and integration, within a systematic framework that supports the role of chambers of commerce in further enabling the business sector and unifying its voice to maximize its contribution to the national economy.
Al-Farraj expressed his appreciation to HRH the Governor of the Eastern Province and HRH his Deputy for their patronage and support of Asharqia Chamber and the business sector in general. He also extended his thanks to the Federation of Saudi Chambers for its great efforts in leading the business sector as a pioneering national umbrella.
The Chairman of the Federation also visited Asharqia Chamber Tower, where he was briefed on the tower’s facilities and the services provided by the Chamber to the business sector, in addition to the qualitative programs and initiatives that contribute to supporting investors and entrepreneurs, as well as the headquarters of the Saudi Business Center in the tower.
He also visited the headquarters of Asharqia Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Incubator, where he was introduced to the key programs and services provided to male and female entrepreneurs, and the role played by the incubator in supporting startups and enabling entrepreneurs to develop their businesses and achieve sustainability and growth.
As part of the Federation’s visit program to the Eastern Province, the delegation, headed by Abdullah bin Saleh Kamel and with the participation of Asharqia Chamber Chairman Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, visited the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), where they were briefed on the most prominent cultural and knowledge programs and initiatives offered by the Center. The delegation also met with Senior Vice President of Saudi Aramco, Nabil bin Abdullah Al-Jama’, where a number of topics of mutual interest were discussed, and the company’s efforts in supporting development initiatives and strengthening partnerships with the business sector were reviewed, in a way that contributes to achieving economic development objectives and supporting the investment environment in the region.