UK Association to be lobbied over Arab Society
01 Feb 1984George Gali, the senior partner of Saba & Co. in Saudi Arabia, is to meet leading members of the UK Association of Certified Accountants to discuss the Association’s involvement with the new Arab Society (See IAB 4, 5, 6). Some members of the Association who practice in the Arab world are said to be unhappy at the Association’s participation in the affair. Gali will be representing their interests together with those of Saba & Co. and the rival Middle East Society.
The issues expected to be discussed include:
- the alleged failure of the Association to consult with its members in the Arab world prior to backing the Arab Society
- criticisms of leading members of the Arab Society, and
- proposals as to how the profession should be organised in the Arab world given the existing framework
Former president of the Association, Professor John Small, who played a key role in founding the Arab Society, claims that a large number of the Association’s members in the Middle East knew about the discussions as they were taking place. “Saba & Co. in particular, were invited to attend the first meeting, but regrettably they declined,” he explains.
Gali hopes to be able to persuade the Association to ‘freeze’ the project until sufficient members of the Association in the Arab world can be given a chance to air their views. However a spokesman for the Association points out that “the Arab Society is an independent body and exists legally in its own right. The initiative has come from the Arab world and the Association has merely given its support.”
Professor Small regrets the antagonistic line which some people have taken to the Society and asks for more concentration to be placed on the positive aspects of the affair. “In particular, we in the UK should recognize the tremendous opportunity we have to influence the development of accounting in the Middle East.”
Meanwhile, the Society claims to be receiving tremendous support from the various governments in the Arab World.
But Ernst and Whinney’s substantial Middle East firm continues to withhold its support from the Society. Medhat Lutfi, senior partner in the Middle East, does not expect the firm’s policy to change.
“We do not believe the Society represents the profession in the Arab world, and we don’t wish to be involved in the personality politics surrounding the Society.” he claimed.
“We do not believe the Society represents the profession in the Arab world, and we don’t wish to be involved in the personality politics surrounding the Society.” he claimed.
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