Informed sources told Al-Youm that the current term of the board of directors of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, which extended from 2022 to 2025, has ended. The board was granted a temporary extension to conduct business, and this extension is scheduled to end in the next two days, thus opening the door to a new administrative phase for one of the most important economic institutions in the Kingdom.
Sources indicated that the Ministry of Commerce is expected to officially announce the new board of directors for the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming term (2026-2027) within the next few days. This announcement comes amidst anticipation within the region's economic and business circles, given the vital role the Chamber plays in developing the private sector.
In a related development, unofficial platforms circulated a list of prominent figures in the region as potential candidates for the new council, including: Ibrahim Al-Dossari, Agharid Abduljawad, Hamad Al-Khaldi, Hamad Al-Raqeeb, Sarah Al-Muhaidib, Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, Abdulrahman Al-Bassam, Ali Al-Sihaiti, Abdul Salam Al-Jabr, Fahd Al-Subaie, Mohammed Al-Rashed, and Mohammed Ali Al-Majdoui. However, the Ministry of Commerce has yet to issue any official confirmation regarding the validity of this list, leaving the door open to speculation until an official announcement is made.
The formation of the new council is based on modern regulatory frameworks, as the Cabinet had issued a decision granting the Minister of Commerce the authority to appoint members of the boards of directors of chambers of commerce in cases where the public interest requires it, based on Article Sixteen of the Chambers of Commerce Law, in addition to any controls approved by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, which enhances the efficiency of the councils and their ability to achieve national objectives.
The Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce holds significant strategic importance that extends beyond the local level, as the Eastern Province is the industrial and energy capital of Saudi Arabia and the beating heart of the national economy. The Chamber plays a pivotal role in supporting industrial and commercial investments and serves as an effective link between investors and government entities, making the formation of its board of directors a matter of great interest to economists both locally and regionally.
The new board is expected to bear significant responsibilities in aligning with the goals of Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of economic diversification, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing local content. The incoming board is also expected to strengthen the chamber's role in leading the digital transformation of the business sector and attracting foreign direct investment to the region, in line with the Kingdom's comprehensive economic development.
