RIYADH, 1 May 2003 — Princess Hussa bint Salman inaugurated a center for financial and investment consultancy services to businesswomen here recently. The center will also provide information on the movement of shares at national and international stock markets through a facility to sell and purchase shares.
Princess Hussa commended the move to open the center, an affiliate of the Saudi British Bank, and called for similar centers in other business sectors. She highlighted the important role of businesswomen who work side by side with businessmen, adding that this joint endeavor will have a positive impact on the national economy.
“We should encourage Saudi businesswomen to invest in the Kingdom before they surprise us by putting their money abroad like some businessmen,” the princess said. “I hope officials will look into the situation of female investors and remove the obstacles they are facing,” she added.
“There are able businesswomen who should be given opportunities, especially in the investment field, within the framework of Shariah, which gives women full rights to manage their wealth independently,” she said. “The projects run by businesswomen offer more job opportunities for our women,” she pointed out.
Hana Al-Obeid, director of the center, said the center was established to provide all investment service facilities, enlisting the help of female brokers qualified in national and international share transactions. “There are no conditions attached to access to its services. The goal is to activate the funds and not to keep them in banks,” she explained.
Hana said the center would work with all concerned parties including ministries and government agencies to remove the obstacles being faced by Saudi businesswomen and their investments.
“These obstacles will fade away when a women’s section is opened at the chambers of commerce and industry that can expedite procedures and services for businesswomen,” she said. Hana also called upon Saudi businesswomen to invest in the Kingdom.
