Adel Fakeih
Quick Facts
Biography
Adel bin Muhammad Fakeih (born 1959) is a Saudi Arabian engineer and the former mayor of Jeddah. He was the minister of labor from 18 August 2010 to April 2015. Between 21 April 2014 and 8 December 2014 he also served as the minister of health. In April 2015 he was appointed minister of economy and planning.
Early life and education
Fakeih was born in Mecca in 1959 into a family known for its active members in the fields of finance and business. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from King Abdulaziz University.
Career
Fakeih worked in both private and public sector. He was the chairman of Al Jazeera Bank and a member on the board of directors of the Trade and Industrial Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah. He served as a member on the commissions of different organizations, including the Holy Mecca Provincial Council, the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Fund for Management of Human Resources, the Hail Development Authority, the Power Services Regulation Authority, and the Al Marai Group. He was also the chairman of the council of directors of the Saudi Arabian Glass Company and the Sagco. From 1993 to 2003 he served as the chairman of the Savola Group.
From 2003 to 2005 he was the chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was appointed mayor of Jeddah in March 2005. He was replaced by Hani Abu Ras as mayor in August 2010. Then Fakeih was appointed minister of labor on 18 August 2010, replacing Ghazi Abdul Rahman Al Gosaibi.
On 21 April 2014 Fakeih also became minister of health. He replaced Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabiah in the post who had served as health minister since February 2009. Fakeih's term as health minister ended on 8 December 2014 when Mohammed bin Ali bin Hiazaa Al Hiazaa appointed to the post.
Fakeih's term as minister of labor ended in April 2015 when he was appointed minister of economy and planning. He replaced Muhammed Al Jasser in the post.
Views
In November 2010, Fakeih stated that reforming the Saudi Arabia’s labour sponsorship system, or kafalah is one of his urgent goals as labor minister.
Personal life
Fakeih's wife, Maha Fitaihi, is a leading businesswoman and social figure. They have five children. Fakeih is fluent in English.