The four-day bazaar has been organized by the women section of the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chairperson of the businesswomen committee at the chamber Haifa Hamoudh opened the bazaar stating that such a large assembly of businesswomen and productive families represents a direct reflection of the flourishing business and trade activities in the southern region.
She noted that a number of women from outside Abha also participated at the gathering. “The productive families have broken a barrier of being reticent and are now openly displaying their products,” she said.
Chairperson of the chamber’s women section Salma Abdul Wahab said the chamber was keen to support businesswomen and show their products to the public through participation in such events. She explained that more than 35 women, including businesswomen from the South Females Charity Society and the Iba Welfare Organization are participating at the bazaar in addition to private hospitals conducting medical examinations for women visitors.
“The labor office of the region is also present to brief the businesswomen about the rules and regulations which they may need for their business,” Salma said.
A number of lectures on issues concerning Saudi women are being delivered during the bazaar.
Ghadi Al-Ali, a businesswoman, said she is participating at the bazaar exhibiting high-quality Chinese accessories. “I bring my products from China and Hong Kong and sell them at reasonable prices,” she said.
Halima Abdullah Asiri, a craftswoman, said she makes stone houses representing her village. “I use gum and mud in my products. I then decorate the model houses with shells. I have been practicing this hobby for more than 17 years and I sell my houses at the price of SR 200-300,” she said.
Umm Faris, a businesswoman and a government employee, said she was selling romantic items for married women including lingerie, lamps and other articles. “I bring these items from Riyadh, Jeddah and Syria,” she said.
Saleha Mushabab, another Saudi businesswoman, said she trades in locally-made perfumes as well as skin-care items that she brings from France while Umm Saeed, belonging to a productive family, said she trades in traditional women clothes.
