JEDDAH, 22 October — Opportunities for joint investments by Saudi and Belgian businesswomen were explored here yesterday at a conference called to throw light on Saudi women’s growing role in business.
The conference took place on the sidelines of Belgian Crown Prince Philippe’s meeting with Saudi businessmen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The women’s interactive conference, in which several Saudi businesswomen participated, was addressed by Belgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck who is accompanying the prince.
Fatin Bundagji, director of the Women’s Training Programs at the chamber, opened the conference by welcoming the minister and her delegation of Belgian businesswomen. She explained the growing importance of Saudi businesswomen and the expanding opportunities available for joint investments with them in the manufacturing and services. sectors. The focal point was how to open the manufacturing sector for women to manage and run.
"The Saudi women workforce is high," said Bundagji, "What is needed is ventures in manufacturing and management.where they can be trained to excel."
The Belgian businesswomen had many questions that echoed some of the misconceptions held by Western women in general about their Saudi counterparts. For example, they asked if Saudi businesswomen’s signature on documents had the same authority and value as men’s. They had discussions with several of the Saudi businesswomen who were present about how they go about conducting their business and the barriers and difficulties they encounter. The Saudis clarified many of the misconceptions, especially the one the value of their signatures which they said had the same authority as men’s, be it business dealings or government documents.
They also explained that even though they face some problems in carrying out their businesses there is nothing they can’t handle. One of the Belgian delegates asked why so many expatriate nurses and doctors are required for the Saudi health sector. Bundagji replied that there was a gap between the number of graduates from Saudi educational institutions and the number of job vacancies in the medical field. She expressed hope that the newly opened public and private institutions for nursing and medical training would go a long way in bridging the gap.
Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, Dean of Effat College and one of the few Saudi academicians present, also pointed out the social barriers for Saudi female nurses as nursing is not considered to have as high a status as doctors.
Neyts-Uyttebroeck said that Belgium also had a similar shortage of medical personnel for about the same reasons.
The two groups agreed on the need to develop an outreach program between the interior design colleges and interior designers in Saudi Arabia and those in Belgium.
Asked what Saudi business sectors would interest Belgian investors the minister said: "Right now we are interested in petrochemical firms and natural gas projects, but we are encouraged by the changes in the Saudi financial sector and would like to go into some specialized industries such as pharmaceuticals and public services including the health sector. We believe in the diversification of Saudi economy."
Present at the conference were two female members of the Malaysian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a several-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Norazizah Bohran, vice president of the International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs and chairwoman of the International Bureau for the Federation of Businessmen and Industrialists in Malaysia, had words of support and encouragement for Saudi businesswomen.
