DAMMAM: Several Saudi women have complained that they face a great deal of red tape and other difficulties starting up businesses.

Nouf Al-Fal said that she faced several obstacles setting up a business offering services to female students. She said she prepared a feasibility study for the bank, and completed applications for government licenses. However, the bank wanted her to be a government employee. In addition, building owners wanted high rentals.

Ghada Al-Harbi said most names she submitted to the Commerce Ministry for her traditional Najd and Hijaz food business were rejected. After lengthy procedures, one of her proposals was finally accepted, she said.

However, she had encountered few other problems. She has eight Saudi women working for her, over two shifts. Paying the women salaries has not been difficult because there has been demand for her food, she said.

Awad Al-Hazmi, director of the Madinah labor office, said the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare was preparing to monitor how many jobs are being created for Saudis, particularly women in the telecommunications sector, during Ramadan.

Al-Hazmi said there would be heavy penalties for those failing to comply with Saudization requirements for this and other sectors of the economy. He said Saudi women are capable of performing well in business.