The JCCI’s board of directors will appoint members to 34 committees for which the number of candidates were below the mandatory minimum of 12 contestants.
The two women who got elected are Huwaidah Sami Muhammad Austa, who has joined the Contractors’ and Readymade Concrete Committee, and Abeer Salamah, who has joined the Real Estate and Construction Development Committee. A third woman, Shirooq Jamal Al-Sulaimani, was unsuccessful in her attempt to join the Construction Development Committee.
One candidate described women competing in the elections as an extension to the JCCI board elections in October. Six women participated in those elections but only one, Lama Al-Sulaiman, was successful. She was appointed deputy chairman of the chamber.
“Although this may be symbolic, it is significant in that Saudi women are beginning to hold high positions in the private sector,” said Osman Basaqr, deputy secretary-general of the JCCI.
He said the election of two Saudi businesswomen to the committees is proof that Saudi women are qualified to work in all economic sectors, including contracting and real estate.
Basaqr said he expects the JCCI board of directors to appoint more women to the remaining 34 committees. The committees assist the chamber in discharging its duties and support businessmen and women.
Adnan Mandourah, head of the executive committee for elections, said 267 candidates, including three women, participated in the elections. He added that 134 candidates, including two women, were elected.
