Al-Kharj Chamber

Al-Kharj Chamber, or the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in al-Kharj, is a non-profit entity that aims to promote various commercial activities across commercial sectors. It also represents businesses in ministries, authorities, and public institutions and works to protect and develop them in al-Kharj Governorate.

Al-Kharj Chamber is one of twenty-eight chambers of commerce and industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a member of the Federation of Saudi Chambers. It is also one of the five chambers of commerce and industry in Riyadh Province, alongside the Riyadh Chamber, al-Majma'ah Chamber, Zulfi Chamber, and al-Quway'iyyah Chamber. The chamber is headquartered in al-Kharj Governorate.

The chamber was established under Ministerial Resolution No. 5921 and commenced operations on July 13, 2005. It enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence. The chamber operates under the ‏Ministry of Commerce‏ and comprises a general assembly, a board of directors, and a general secretariat. The first chairman of the chamber was Ibrahim Bin Mohammed al-Hudaithi.

Al-Kharj Chamber operates within an administrative framework aimed at achieving its economic and investment objectives in al-Kharj Governorate. It seeks to serve the financial and business sectors, advocate for their interests, communicate their opinions and suggestions to government officials, and achieve the highest possible level of performance. The chamber leverages available opportunities and resources, participates actively in development plans, and acts as a liaison between official entities and the private sector to facilitate the exchange of ideas, convey instructions, and adopt laws more effectively.

The chamber also focuses on expanding its member services, creating a positive business environment that attracts investors to the governorate, and collaborating with the public sector to support development efforts. It works to improve the business environment for small and medium enterprises, provide employment opportunities for young people, and coordinate investor meetings.

Additionally, the chamber is committed to training human resources by organizing training programs at its specialized centers. It hosts festivals and events that promote national products, supports young talent by offering job opportunities, and enhances the role of women in business through a dedicated section for businesswomen.

The chamber's Board of Directors is formed every four years, and its members are appointed by a decision from the Minister of Commerce. The number of members must not exceed eighteen, and no more than one member may be elected to represent a single commercial establishment. Additionally, no member is entitled to run for more than two consecutive terms; a term is considered completed if it exceeds two years.

The board is responsible for appointing and terminating the services of the Secretary-General of al-Kharj Chamber, forming sectoral and internal committees, and delegating them as deemed appropriate.

The organizational structure of al-Kharj Chamber includes three sectoral committees responsible for managing its operations: the Entrepreneurs Committee, the Contractors Committee, and the Lawyers Committee. These committees are vital divisions that carry out various activities to serve the interests of the sectors they represent or the professions they belong to. They consist of experienced professionals, business owners, and both male and female entrepreneurs. The committees focus on developing economic sectors, studying the challenges and issues facing the private sector, and working toward their resolution.

Al-Kharj Chamber provides training and qualification services through its Training Center, aiming to significantly impact the private sector and enhance its capabilities to address future challenges and development requirements. The center also offers targeted training activities for continuous skills development among private sector employees, effectively encouraging Saudi youth to join and work in the private sector after receiving proper and adequate training. The training programs are categorized into three types: in-person training, e-training, and remote training.

Al-Kharj Chamber, through its Employment Center, works to align the workforce needs of private sector establishments with the local talent seeking employment in these organizations. It also contributes to qualifying Saudi youth for work in the private sector according to labor market requirements, aiming to create a productive and stable national workforce. This supports the gradual and organized implementation of job localization.