Thursday, February 19, 2009

Saudi Arabia: US team briefed on women’s role in chamber

Galal Fakkar | Arab News

JEDDAH: A 16-member delegation of US congressional staff members currently visiting the Kingdom was briefed on the participation of women in the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday.

Lama Sulaiman, a woman member of the board of directors of JCCI, explained to the visiting delegation about the JCCI’s Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center, which helps Saudi women with their businesses. The center is named after Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) most enterprising wife. “The center offers immense help to pioneering businesswomen, particularly those who undertake small and medium size ventures,” Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman added that 20 percent of the 250 employees of the chamber are women. “Other chambers in the Kingdom have started giving representation to women in their boards and committees,” she said.

The delegation, which is the first from the US to visit Saudi Arabia after the administration change, was also interested to learn how elections were conducted in the JCCI. The chamber members explained its election process to them.

The delegation is also scheduled to visit the Shoura Council, the Saudi Human Rights Commission and several other organizations.

The delegation also wanted to know about the assistance the chamber offered to entrepreneurs of small and medium establishments.

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