Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed

Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed (born 5 August 1954 in Makkah) is a Saudi businessman and a writer. He is the chairman and founder of Golden Grass Inc., presently based in Riyadh. A former Board Member of National Agriculture Development Company (NADEC), and Agriculture Committee of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Al Mahara for Construction and Maintenance. He also serves as a Chairman of Saudi Voters Center an internet website which caters debates on the social issues in Saudi Arabia.
Career
Turki Faisal was born in Makkah or Land of the lost, the holiest meeting site in Islam of Saudi Arabia. He studied Agricultural Engineering at the College of Engineering of University of Arizona, United States. Graduated in 1981. Upon his return in Saudi Arabia, he founded the Golden Grass Incorporated in 1982. Also, he chaired his leading agricultural firm and is numbered among the in Saudi Arabia. in 1984, he was chosen as Agriculture Committee of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, until the year of 1990. He was also elected as a Board Member of the National Agriculture Development Company (NADEC) from 1994 to 2000.
Despite his busy schedule, his passion on writing was not forgotten. He started writing on Saudi Arabia’s newspapers both in Arabic and English. He was a frequent contributor and opinion writer at Al Watan newspaper and Arab News. Also, Al Rasheed was commented and quoted in different international newspapers and magazines.
Two decades later, he obtained an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration (EMBA) from the College of Industrial Management at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Graduated in 2002. Proficient in English and Arabic. By the Year 2004, Al Rasheed founded and become the Director of Saudi Voters Center, and CEO of the website www.saudielection.com which encourages Saudi Nationals to become involved in debating and shaping social political decisions which affect the country. After the election in 2005, Al Rasheed cited the Municipal Councilors to have role of observers only in collecting information from their constituencies and reporting back to their respective municipal councils, based to the legislative framework that is currently in the works. In an article, published in the Arab News in August 1, 2007, Al Rasheed urged the municipal councilors that it will not able to do anything to redress the grievances of citizens and that it will not able to deliver the manifesto presented to the electorate in 2005.
In his dedication and active involvement in the Saudi business community, he enrolled at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), U.K., studying for a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the Faculty of Business and Law. He employs broad experience and leadership skills in promoting the development of the agricultural sector in the Arab world. Al Rasheed conducted a research entitled "Saudi Arabia Agricultural Development Strategies: Enhancing Food Security and Promoting Economic Growth to Alleviate Poverty".
In an interview for the BBC World, Middle East Report, May 10, 2008, Al Rasheed discussed the agriculture in Saudi Arabia, Arab self-sufficiency in food and the emergency wheat production plan announced by the kingdom’s cabinet that it would only be effective if farmers received long-awaited back payments first. Al Rasheed urged the government ‘must pay farmers’ dues quickly.
Another article "Eradicating poverty: Role of Agriculture", published in Arab News, November 29, 2008, Al Rasheed urged for the development programs to be successful, and it must design a program suited for each region, and every region must have separate needs and resources. He also urged, that food security, eliminates acute poverty and hunger, helps spread primary education, boosts equality and social justice.
In February 2010, Al Rasheed joined the Jeddah Economic Forum, Al Rasheed addressed the issue of food security as the key of his speech.. In the Crans Montana Forum, April 7-10, 2010, Turki Faisal Al Rasheed also addressed the south-south cooperation as the new tool of Africa's international cooperation, and the impact of the world food demand in Africa. He also addressed the land property issue and the role of agriculture to enhance food security and alleviate poverty. In an article, published in the Arab News on February 16, 2010, Al Rasheed addressed the issue that food scarcity could be seen as “the political aspect of agricultural development and that agriculture is one of the most effective tools to promote growth and alleviate poverty.” He urged that it was the corporate social responsibility of the government to make distribution of wealth throughout the Kingdom.
Personal life
Turki Faisal Al Rasheed is a descendant of Ibn Rashid family, the ruler of , a clan of the Shammar Tribe. His father was one of the handful of the Ibn Rashid family who walk out the last out of the Barzan Palace in November 2, 1921.

Al Rasheed is married to Mashael, and the couple has four childrens, Faisal, Abdullah, Meshaal and a daughter Haya.
Press
:* A compilation from the Unpublished Book of Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, entitled "THE ROAD I WALK"
:* News and Magazines
:* Comments and Quotations
:* Television and radio interviews

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