DAMMAM, 12 February 2004 — The Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI) has set up a committee of well-known businesswomen. The 20-member committee will study businesswomen’s problems and their role in the growth and development of their businesses.
The committee will be representative in character and will interact with other relevant bodies, drawing up proposals and making recommendations.
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, president of the EPCCI, who announced the formation of the committee, said it was a step forward in developing business in the Kingdom.
“The development and growth are always in conformity with our Islamic traditions and cultures,” he said. He pointed out the hard work of the Saudi government in highlighting the role of Saudi woman in all spheres. He said the formation of the committee reflected the full support extended by the business sector to businesswomen.
Al-Rashid said one of the aims of the committee was to double the participation of women in the Saudi economy and to encourage them to invest in a number of different projects. “Their participation will benefit the national economy,” he explained.
Dr. Aisha Al-Mana, a member of the committee, said women are half of any society and that therefore their role in socio-economic activities should not be overlooked. “The formation of the committee is a confirmation of women’s role in the growth of the society,” she said. She thanked the chamber of commerce for setting up the committee and giving women a chance to participate in the country’s development.
Dr. Amal Al-Taimi, also a member of the committee, called the formation of the committee “a progressive decision in the right direction.” She said the economic scene all over the world was rapidly changing and against this backdrop, forming such a committee was “very relevant.”
She said the committee would work as a link between the private sector and women investors and help to open new business horizons to businesswomen.
