The Ministry of Trade and Industry has have approved the registering of an office of general services or “Ataqeeb” for women, a ministry representative told a local newspaper.

Businesswoman Hanan Madani, is pleased with the decision and said it is an excellent first step by the Ministry of Commerce. She hopes it will be followed by further decisions to allow women to own, manage and operate in fields they are currently not allowed in. She believes their contribution will contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic development.

Madani said: “We have many Saudi businesswomen who have advanced degrees and specializations in fields such as engineering, construction, legal, and other business services. They do not lack the necessary confidence or capability to engage in these professions.”

She said if those professions are granted a license to employ women it will have a huge impact for Saudi women and will encourage these businesswomen to invest their knowledge and expertise at home. Many highly educated women leave for neighboring countries to practice in their field of expertise.

As well as opening up these areas to women, the decision will contribute to the accommodation of a large number of Saudi girl graduates especially those who have overseas education. It will allow them to put their knowledge and expertise to practical use at enterprises run solely by businesswomen.