DAMMAM, 17 March — A large number of businesswomen in the Eastern Province have called for the establishment of a special committee at the chamber to look after their interests.
According to a survey conducted by Al-Eqtisadiah, a sister publication of Arab News, the businesswomen urged the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry to give greater support to small-scale businesses. “Nearly 72 percent of the participants believe that the performance of the chamber’s new board would not be different from that of the previous one,” the report said.
Twenty-one prominent businessmen in the region are contesting the chamber board elections, which will be held here today. About 70 percent of the women participated in the survey have shown interest in the elections.
Many Saudi businesswomen in the region have complained that the chamber was deliberately ignoring them despite their considerable contribution to the national economy. They said the lack of transparency had obstructed their increased participation in the private sector.
“Lack of information has prevented many Saudi businesswomen from investing their money in various projects,” one businesswoman said. “Large sums are being kept stagnant by women because they are not given opportunities to invest them properly,” she added.
Fowziya Abdul Aziz Al-Tayyeb said the chamber’s refusal to cooperate has prompted many women to quit their businesses.
