JEDDAH, 13 January 2003 — Saudi businesswomen have finally agreed to attend the 4th Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) which is scheduled to begin here on Jan. 18 after organizers promised to give them a greater role and higher profile at the annual event.
They will attend the first day of the gathering to familiarize themselves with the event, Asharq Al-Awsat learned.
The forum has been criticized in the past for "unacceptable mistakes."
Alya Banaja, a Saudi businesswoman, said the organizers of this gathering had neglected the role of women in Saudi society. Ghada Ghazawi, a woman investor, is not happy with the role given to women by organizers.
Asharq Al-Awsat could not contact the organizer, Amr Dabbagh, to elicit a response.
Saudi businessmen understand why women were angry. The admission price to the forum was high at $2,000 per person. Conversation was carried on in English all the time and there were not enough translators. Furthermore, Saudi businesswomen’s opinions were not sought.
Abdullah Dahlan, former secretary-general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "We must give them respect because they are from our country. We must support them, guide them and give them the trust they need to open new opportunities". (Asharq Al-Awsat)
