Building bridges between the community and the education sector

Jeddah - In continuation of its efforts to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between youth, the educational sector and the community, the City Center Development Company (CCDC) invited student members of the King Abdulaziz University Marketing Club to attend a briefing session about the Jeddah Central Development Project and to visit its booth at the Real Estate Exhibition where the project is being featured. 

Mr. Kareem Itani, CCDC Director of Marketing, on behalf of the company, welcomed the students and conducted the briefing session that included a documentary film and an overview of the project and its developmental objectives. This was followed by an open discussion covering the integration of the project with the local community, its long term benefits to local business, and its enhancement of the environment and social life in the city center.   

The students were keenly interactive and showed their awareness and interest in the development of the core business hub of Jeddah. In particular, they were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss points such as the various types of job opportunities that the project will create, the number of companies involved, the marketing strategy and the new market opportunities that will open up.

The development of central Jeddah is a long term project and is divided into key phases to ensure all aspects are implemented according to the set specifications and strategies, explained Mr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Kamel, Deputy CEO of the Urban Development Company, the project's strategic partner. The objective of this briefing session is to open the doors of discussion between the company and the students of KAAU, and to let them see first-hand the great variety of career opportunities available to them by becoming part of the development of the heart of Jeddah. In addition to the creation of small and medium sized establishments there is the chance to work within the project as consultants and project developers.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow students, Mohammed Ahmed Abduljabar, Head of the KAAU Marketing Club, said. I thank CCDC for their initiative in organizing this briefing, which has enabled us to gain an in-depth understanding of the City Center development project and has us shown how we, as future graduates, can benefit from the upcoming career opportunities and contribute to the successful outcome of the project.

Commenting on the students visit, Eng. Khaled Abdulghaffar, CEO of the City Center Development Company, said Our role is not only to develop and implement mega projects such as this, but also to involve the future generation and share with them our vision of the future of our country. He went on to say Today the students have gained invaluable insight on the inner workings of the development of the infrastructure of a key business arena and have learned how, one day, they can be a part of this great enterprise.

Dedicated to redeveloping the central business hub and preserving the historic area, the project will be the largest city center urban project in the Arab world.  In co-operation with the Jeddah Municipality, the vision is for the Jeddah Central District to once again become the heart of the city. The project will economically rejuvenate Jeddah Central District, create world class business, residential and retail facilities, revive the historical and cultural heritage of Jeddah, purify its marine environment and reunite the city with the sea.  The end result will create job and housing opportunities for Jeddahs young population, 60 percent of which is under 25.

-Ends-

About CCDC:
City Center Development Company is the sole developer of the Jeddah City Center Project.  The Jeddah Center Project plan is consistent with the vision of HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of the Makkah Region, and H.E. the Mayor of Jeddah Adel Fakeeh, and has been developed in accordance with the City of Jeddah Strategic Plan.

The consortium includes world renowned companies such as Solidere International, the company behind the re-birth of Beruit city center, the Urban Development Company, a Saudi real estate developer engaged in multiple mega projects in the Kingdom, and renowned regional partners such as Siraj Capital and Al-Tijaria & Venture Capital Bank.      

For further information, please contact:
Ahmed Al Hassani
Media Manager
TRACCS - KSA
Tel: +966 2 663-2525       
Fax: +966 2 660-1874    
Email: ahmed.alhassani@traccs.net

Press Release 2009