Samar Yahya

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH – The Jeddah Commercial Forum 2013 (JCF 2013), to be inaugurated on Saturday (April 20), at the Hilton Jeddah, will put strong emphasis on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to lift anti-dumping and subsidy duties imposed on petrochemical exports.



A two-day series of sessions will follow the inauguration.



Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman Al-Saud, Assistant Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for Petroleum Affairs and the Head of the team dealing with anti-dumping and subsidy cases, will attend the Forum, said Nashwa Taher, JCF President and the Chairwoman of Commerce Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).



Prince Abdul Aziz will elaborate during the sixth session aptly titled “Kingdom’s efforts to lift anti-dumping and subsidy duties imposed on petrochemical exports” – which has been added to the forum’s sessions – on the Kingdom’s initiative in anti-dumping and subsidy duties imposed on Saudi exports by some markets in Europe, India, China, Turkey, and Egypt, Taher said.



The session will highlight the team’s efforts and rounds of negotiations in order to accomplish its mission and resolve this issue.



The Prince’s participation in the forum is a shining example of the successful partnership between both private and public sectors at this important forum, she noted, stating that Prince Abdul Aziz has gained excellent reputation as the head of the Saudi negotiation team.



The sixth session, which will be headed by Prince Abdul Aziz, is extremely important because the Kingdom tops the list of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in terms of having the largest number of petrochemical projects, Taher pointed out, citing some reports. The total estimated cost of the projects that will be carried out in the Kingdom would reach $53 billion (SR198.7 billion), $12 billion for petrochemical projects, and $41 billion for other projects, she said. “All projects being implemented in GCC countries don’t cost over $19 billion combined. This fact in itself opens the door for gigantic opportunities both in the long and short runs,” Taher said.



The Forum, held every two years, tackles several issues and puts forward its recommendations, which are sent to the key decision makers in all sectors. The concerned strategic commercial committee together with JCCI will then follow up with the recommendations.



Top government officials and well-known businessmen and businesswomen will take part in the Forum. They will talk about the concerns and problems facing businessmen and businesswomen and put forth solutions. The expectations and challenges of the business industry, together with a future vision for global competitiveness will also be discussed. 



This year, the Forum will focus, among other things, on the issue of commercial tasatur (an illegal practice when a foreigner runs a business in the name of a Saudi citizen against a monthly amount of money). Its effects will be highlighted while solutions will be suggested to deal with it. 



Saudization policies and the acute shortage of skilled labor will be highlighted, whereas mediation as an alternative solution for disputes and the competitiveness of Saudi ports and transportation logistics will be covered. Speakers will concentrate on fair competition in light of the increase in many practices that harm Saudi as well as Gulf economy and trade.



The addition of the sixth session was announced during the second JCF media briefing held last Tuesday at the JCCI Board of Director’s hall. The meeting was attended by JCCI secretary general Adnan Mandoora, JCCI assistant secretary general Mohideen Hakami, JCF President Nashwa Taher, members from the commercial committee, and JCF sponsors (Al-Radwa Poultry Farms, the National Computer Systems Company (NATCOM), Al-Sorayai Trading and Industrial Group, Al-Siraj United Holding Company, the Red Sea Gate & Station Company, Bin Zaqar Company). Among other sponsors are Perfeito, Al-Sarwat, Rubayat, Okaz Organization for Press and Publication as the media partner, Al-Arabiya Channel as the platinum media sponsor, and E-Business News as the e-sponsor.



Mandoora thanked Prince Abdul Aziz for joining the forum as the main speaker, saying that the forum will undoubtedly come up with perfect solutions regarding anti-dumping and subsidy issues. He underscored the importance that partnerships should be forged with key players to preserve the Kingdom’s petrochemical exports. Noting the efforts exerted by numerous government agencies to handle such issues, Mandoora called for joined forces to protect “the petrochemical exports of our beloved nation” and eliminate any negative matters which might affect the Kingdom’s economic, social, legal, and political aspects.



JCF has great aspirations and optimism and pins high hopes on the fact that the sought-after development will, Gold willing, materialize on the long run, thanks to the fruitful cooperation between private and public sectors. The forum’s topics and speakers have been selected carefully based on transparency standards. Audience will be given a chance to take part in dialogue and vote for the final recommendations made by the forum. The implementation of recommendations will be followed up by task teams.



The Forum stresses the pioneering role the Kingdom plays in several fields and its keenness to work continuously to get its objectives accomplished and sign several agreements similar to that of the World Trade Organization.