Saudi businesswomen play major role at Jeddah Economic Forum

Mr. Amr Dabbagh, Chairman of the Jeddah Marketing Board invited the Saudi Businesswomen's Committee which is part of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to take a more active role in this year's Forum. This initiative, supported by HRH Princess Adelah bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Head of the Jeddah Businesswomen's Committee; accentuates the committee's strategy to reinforce the role of Saudi businesswomen and integrate them more into the business community. The business women's committee is made up of a number of business women, academicians, and specialists in the field of economics and finance.

Commenting on the alliance with Jeddah Marketing Board, HRH Princess Adela bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz commented: 'We are happy to be part of this very important event for the Kingdom and the Arab world. Females make up half of the society and the only way we can achieve accelerated growth is by channelling all of our resources and involving all segments of the society.'

She continued, 'The ladies participation in the forum conforms to our Islamic values and principles and falls within the context of our culture and tradition. The government has taken the initiative to highlight the role that Saudi women play on the internationally. It is important for us to support qualified women by giving them the opportunity to actively participate in key social and economic activities. By providing them with opportunities such as active participation and training, they can take on a more active and serious role in the development that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing today.'

From an academic point of view Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, Dean of Effat College said: 'When focusing on the financial dependency and opportunities for the Saudi women, the private sector needs to effectively forecast the role that the women can play in supporting progress.'

She added, 'In reality, the absence of Saudi women from upper management positions in the private sector and our small presence in the workforce through the lack of job opportunities has made Saudi women search for alternative employment opportunities primarily in the services industry. This has led to the setting up of numerous small and medium sized businesses and the creation and expansion of voluntary and non-profit organizations in an unofficial capacity.'

Dr. Nahed Taher, Economic Advisor for the National Commercial Bank commented: 'In the past five years the forum has had a unique appeal for the economic sector in the Middle East. The event presents key issues that face various economic sectors and encourages the participation of international personalities and dignitaries from both developed and emerging countries. This has created a platform to debate complex economic challenges and suggest appropriate solutions.'

Ms. Madawi Al Hassoun, Saudi businesswoman and head of the female organizing committee of the 5th Jeddah Economic Forum explained, 'The Jeddah Economic Forum has and continues to provide a unique opportunity for Saudi businesswomen not only in attendance and participation, but also involving her in all the development stages of the forum including overall organization.'

Al Hassoun continued: 'The Forum itself is a window for Saudi women to the outside world. By exposure to the international community, the true identity of Saudi women as Muslim, educated, aware of her responsibilities, strong in faith, and fulfilling her role as a wife, mother, and businesswoman.

'We thank Mr. Amr Dabbagh, Chairman of the Jeddah Marketing Board and the Jeddah Economic Forum, for the opportunity which has enabled Saudi women to showcase their capabilities and expanding their role as strategists and organizers,' Al Hassoun concluded.

Keynote speakers and participants at previous Jeddah Economic Forums have included former U.S. Presidents George Bush and William Jefferson Clinton, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, former French President Valery Giscard D'Estaing, former British Prime Minister John Major, Crown Prince of Bahrain HH Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Al-Ragheb, former Russian Prime Minister and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Yevgeny Primakov, International Saudi business leader HRH Waleed Bin Talal, and Tijari.Com CEO Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, among many others.