Saudi women exhibiting at Bisat Al-Reeh’s 14th annual Ramadan festival say their businesses are benefiting from the event that attracts thousands of leading Saudis.

“My home-based abaya brand is only known among my friends and family. I wanted to widen my circle of clients so I rented a booth this year that cost me a fortune but I believe it is worth it,” said fashion designer Maha Al-Sheikh.

“I was so excited to see the huge number of women who passed my booth and bought my designs. Even those who didn’t buy anything took my contact number and business card,” she said.

Home cooked cakes and desserts are hot sellers at the event. “I love buying mamool (baked Arabic cake filled with dates) because I don’t know how to bake it. I make sure to buy big quantities to give as gifts to family members,” said Ruwaida Hilal, a mother.

“This year at Bisat Alreeh there is a huge variety of foods, including pickles, chocolate, mamool and more. This is great even for those who are shopping and looking for a quick snack,” she said.

Other than fashion and food, there are also artists who use their booths as galleries to exhibit their work and interior designers who designed their booths in a modern and artistic way.

“I am a freelance interior designer looking to market myself at every opportunity, so I show people my work and distribute business cards,” said Hawazen Yaqoub. “This event is very promising because it gives me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds. I know I can do a great job in (designing) their home decor,” she added.

The festival ends today.