H.E Saleh Kamel Re-elected as ICCIA President
April 16, 2017- In response to the kind invitation extended by the Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the ICCIA held its joint meeting of the 25th Board of Directors and 33rd General Assembly Meetings under the Kind Patronage of H.E. Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce & Industry of the Sultanate of Oman, in Muscat on 12th April 2017.
After the recitation of Holy Quran, H.E. Said Saleh Said Al-Kayoumi, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, presented the welcome address. He welcomed the delegates in their second country of Oman and emphasized on the significance, of the role of the private sector in the development of the economies of the Islamic countries. He hoped that these meetings and gathering would provide good opportunities for the business community to strengthen the level of commercial exchange. He appreciated the joint working relationship and spirit of cooperation between ICCIA and Oman Chamber. He highlighted the policy of economic diversification and its positive impact that opens a vast horizon for the growth of the private sector.
Thereafter, H.E. Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, President of Islamic Chamber, presented his address. He thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed, the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Chamber for the warm reception and the generous hospitality. He thanked, the Minister for his kind patronage to the ICCIA’s Meetings and his personal presence in the Inaugural session. He underlined the importance of the due role of the private sector in the construction of earth, combating poverty by way of exploring the potential investment opportunities with the objective of the providing jobs to the youth. He called upon the Member Chambers, to provide the ICCIA website with information and to update the activities related to their countries regularly. He requested to exert extra efforts for enhancing the current level of cooperation by providing information and creating awareness about the prospects available in their respective countries and to benefit from the information.
H.E. Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce & Industry of the Sultanate of Oman delivered speech, in which he welcomed H.E. Sheikh Saleh Kamel and the Chairmen of the Member Federations and National Chambers. He highlighted the five major sectors that are targeted in the development plan of the Sultanate, namely the manufacturing, logistics, mining, fisheries, and tourism. In addition to other sectors that include finance, energy and SMEs, which contribute by providing indirect employment opportunities for the youth.
Thereafter, H.E. Rifat Hisarciklioglou, President of the Union of Turkish Chambers, addressed and underlined the necessity of solidarity among business community of the Islamic world. He appreciated the increase in the size of intra-Islamic Trade by 20.6% of their overall external trade in 2016. He touched upon the importance of enhancing the level of economic cooperation and to mobilize efforts among the Islamic countries at the level of the private sector to achieve the desirable socio economic development by providing job opportunities and enhancing the living standards.
At the end of the session, the message of H.E. Yousuf bin Ahmed Al-Othaimain, Secretary General of OIC was read out by Mr. Naghi Jabbarov, Head of Trade & Investment, Department of Economic Affairs in OIC. In his message, he emphasized the vital role of the private sector in accelerating the process of socio economic sustainable development of the member states. He mentioned that the OIC will continue to give consideration for trade finance and capacity building. In this context, he mentioned that the Islamic financial institutions of the OIC, has allocated US$ 4.8 billion to support the medium small and micro enterprises. He wished the meeting and the ICCIA to succeed in attaining the desirable results and objectives.
The joint meeting of the 25th Board of Directors and 33rd General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber, approved the report of the 24th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Chamber, which was held on 20th September 2016, in Konya, Republic of Turkey and also reviewed and adopted the Report of the 58th Financial Committee Meeting held in Muscat on 11th April 2017, was (copy of the report is attached). The following were also adopted:
The Assembly unanimously elected H.E. Shaikh Saleh Kamel, as President of the Islamic Chamber, for the next term, 2017-2021.
It was also agreed for the election of the Member Institutions from the following countries, who expressed their intent of nomination of the membership of the Board for the new term: (1) Djibouti, (2) Egypt, (3) Iran, (4) Jordan, (5) Kuwait, (6) Niger, (7) Oman, (8) Pakistan, (9) Palestine, (10) Qatar, (11) Saudi Arabia, (12) Sudan, (13) Tunisia, (14) Turkey, (15) Uganda, and (16) United Arab Emirates, and the new candidates from (17) Indonesia, (18) Malaysia, and (19) Mali.
A number of reports and studies prepared by the ICCIA, were reviewed, noted and adopted, including a distinguished Report about Textile Industry in the Islamic World, which was published in Arabic and English languages as well as Field Study on the Experiences of Konya, Republic of Turkey.
The representative of Sudan requested for delegation of group for training in commodity exchanges and to benefit from Turkey, in this regard. Sudan is considered one of the major producers of gum Arabic, sesame and peanuts. The President of TOBB, welcomed and offered to host the trainees and facilitate their mission.
The President of the Member Institution from Azerbaijan, delivered speech, in which he expressed their honor of joining the ICCIA and hoped to host any of the ICCIA future meetings or activities in his country.
The ICCIA recognized the services of Mrs. Zaitun Olive Kigongo, President of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the occasion of the end of her tenure as President to her country’s Chamber. Her cooperation and efforts in serving the ICCIA, during her presidency were appreciated.
At the end, the President on behalf of the Members, expressed thanks and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sayeed, the Government and Chamber of Oman, for their hospitality and excellent arrangements.
At the end, the President on behalf of the Members, expressed thanks and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bint Saeed, the Government and Chamber of Oman, for their hospitality and excellent arrangements. The meeting ended at 2.00 p.m. Wednesday 12th April 2017.