Dr. Thamer A. Baazeem: Leading Makkah’s Economic Rise

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sets a bold course: diversify the economy, elevate the quality of life, and build world-class institutions without losing the country’s soul. Standing at this vital intersection is Dr. Thamer A. Baazeem, a seasoned marketing strategist and institution builder whose two-decade journey spans Hajj and Umrah, the halal economy, multilateral development, academia, and private-sector growth.

Today, as Secretary General (CEO) of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, he is reinvigorating one of the Kingdom’s oldest economic institutions to serve better entrepreneurs, investors, and communities in the heart of the Holy City.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Baazeem grounded his career in the Kingdom’s values from the start. He earned a B.Sc. in Business Administration (Marketing) from King AbdulAziz University before pursuing both a Master’s and a PhD in Marketing at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia, an experience that sharpened his scientific approach to consumer behaviour and strategic communication. He later strengthened his digital edge through executive education at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business (2018).

Committed to diplomacy and international cooperation, he is currently completing an Executive Master’s in International Relations at the Geneva School of Diplomacy, a capstone that complements his cross-border leadership. His academic achievements include the Executive Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding PhD and the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence, alongside authorship of a book chapter on contemporary digital marketing and the Arabic translation of a leading mixed-methods research text.

Leadership Role in National and Global Marketing

As Secretary General/CEO of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce (appointed 2025), Dr. Baazeem is steering a transformation that blends heritage with high performance. His mandate centers on enhancing the ease of doing business, attracting investment, and embedding digital transformation and institutional excellence across the Chamber. He regularly hosts international delegations and strategic partners, positioning Makkah as a global hub for values-driven commerce, talent, and socio-economic development.

Before taking the helm in Makkah, Dr. Baazeem served as Executive Vice President for Marketing & International Strategic Partnerships at the Saudi Halal Center, then as Advisor to the CEO, where he promoted the concept of “Halal for All” and elevated Saudi Arabia’s standing as a trusted leader in halal standards. From the Kazan Forum 2024 stage to bilateral engagements, he championed a sector projected to reach a multi-trillion-dollar scale by the end of the decade, aligning halal diplomacy with trade growth, standards harmonization, and investment.

Reinvigorating the Makkah Chamber of Commerce

His prior leadership at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) as Director of Marketing and Communication focused on brand reputation, international media, and government relations. Under his leadership, IsDB’s media presence and engagement improved significantly, underpinned by refreshed strategies, disclosure protocols, and social media and brand guidelines.

Earlier, as Chief Communication and Media Officer at the ,, he led the rebranding of Umrah, contributed to an 11% increase in visitors in 2019, and then pivoted to global crisis communications during COVID-19, stewarding trust around some of the world’s most sensitive religious journeys.

Purpose Over Position: Impact that Inspires a Generation

Ask Dr. Baazeem about titles, and he will redirect you to impact. His leadership philosophy, Impact, Continuity, Credibility, prioritizes what endures: stronger institutions, empowered teams, and thriving communities. At the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, he worked on reshaping market narratives across GCC and international audiences, fostering a service ethos that honoured pilgrims and stakeholders alike. In the private sector and civil society, he continues to support leaders and youth through mentorship, public speaking, and practical frameworks for execution.

In public forums and columns, he argues for agile, well-structured policymaking and storytelling with purpose, linking Vision 2030’s transformational agenda to timeless narratives. Whether writing about policy agility or exploring how Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Vision 2030 inspire through storytelling, he shows how culture and communication can mobilize citizens and institutions toward shared goals.

Scientific Innovation and National Impact

Dr. Baazeem is a behavioural economics scholar whose work bridges academia and public policy. He has taught across all levels of higher education, earning a 97% student evaluation score, mentoring future Saudi leaders while advancing research that addresses urban and societal issues such as reducing litter, managing abandoned vehicles, promoting off-plan housing, and refining halal certification narratives.

As Special Advisor at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, he was pivotal in launching the National Program for Treating Visual Pollutions and led communications for Cityscape Global 2023, which welcomed over 170,000 attendees. Previously at King Abdulaziz University, he helped lead the Research and Consultations Institute to $66 million annual turnover by expanding strategic consulting services.

“No matter how creative you are, how much budget you spend, how excellent your strategy is, and how capable your talents are, it all centers on the clear distribution of roles and a careful focus on details.” — Dr. Thamer A. Baazeem

Recognition and Legacy

Dr. Baazeem’s work has been recognized with honours such as Reverse Linkage & Regional Integration Champion (IsDB), Volunteer of the Year, and the Africa Industrial & Development Award, Special Recognition (2024). These accolades reflect a career built on public trust and measurable results.

Today at the Makkah Chamber, his calendar blends economic diplomacy and community stewardship: receiving ministerial and international delegations, deepening ties with investors and SMEs, and spotlighting cultural soft-power platforms such as the International Museum of the Prophet’s Biography. In every arena from multilateral finance to municipal programs, his legacy is one of institutional strengthening, evidence-based communication, and national service.

Closing Reflection

In a decade defined by transformation, Dr. Thamer A. Baazeem offers a blueprint for leadership rooted in identity and powered by innovation. His work shows how Saudi institutions can be both intensely local and unmistakably global, honoring sacred traditions while competing at a world scale.

By uniting behavioral insight, strategic communication, and disciplined execution, he helps translate Vision 2030 from an agenda into lived reality for businesses, pilgrims, families, and future leaders. The result is more than growth; it is confidence that Makkah can serve as a model of values-driven prosperity and that Saudi talent can shape international narratives with integrity and impact.

Discover more inspiring stories at Saudi Wins, where Vision 2030 comes to life.