The first integrated business women’s conference discussing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s accession into the World Trade Organization in January 2006 was held in Riyadh from the 26 till the 27th of December 2005. Over 300 ladies from the Riyadh business community and business women from other chambers of commerce across the Kingdom attended the conference which was organized by the Executive Board for the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Women’s Branch. Officially launching the program and presenting the program objectives was HH Princess Fahda bint Bandar, President of the Executive Board.
“The program theme, topics and speakers are of great interest to the attendees and we look forward to a very interactive and beneficial two day sessions and workshops, stated HH Princess Fahda bint Bandar bin Mohamed bin Abdulrahman, the President of the Riyadh Business Women’s Executive Board.
Following Princess Fahda’s speech was a presentation on the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Women’s Branch presented by HH Princess Hailah bint Abdulrahman Al Saud, Head of the RCCI – Women’s Branch.
The forum which was held at the King Faisal Conference Hall in Riyadh was featured key personalities from the business and governmental institutions, shedding light on the World Trade Organization, its effects on the local business community and how companies and institutions can be ready.
During the first day Mr. Jamal Muttair, founder and Consultant – Kanz Training and Administrative Consultancy Center, gave a presentation on the ‘Seven Issues that Companies face’ this was followed by an open discussion with the attendees.
Key note speaker during the second day was Dr. Fawaz Al Alami, head of the negotiations team for the WTO delegation, with his presentation featuring the WTO and expected challenges. The attendees were given an opportunity to have a question and answer session that shed light on a number of inquiries on the WTO and its effects on their businesses or future business opportunities. Questions included foreign investment opportunities for foreign female investors that today are not open to the Saudi business women, company growth, and the effects on the local industry.
During the second sessions of the day the delegates signed up to attend the following workshops:
1. Building a Work Strategy to conform with the WTO by Dr. Nadia Baeshen
2. Success for Business Women from a Trade and Economical Perspective by Ms. Aziza Al Khateeb
3. Franchising Opportunities by Ms. Rola Badcouk
4. Administrative Organization for Establishments by Ms. Eman Abu Khudair
The conference was sponsored by FAMA Holding Group, Jeraisy Group of Companies and Chaar Jewelry with support and participation from various companies and institutions.
The Riyadh Business Women’s Executive Board was founded on the 29 of June 2004 and it’s comprised of 9 members. The role of the board is to oversee the work and provide the support required for the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Women’s Branch.
The boards objectives include: representation of the business women, help and guidance and required from within the Chamber; research and studying issues that are affecting the business women and the means to address them; development of the chambers services especially concerning the support of the business women’s community; development and expansion of the business women’s initiatives and enhancing the role of the business women and activating their participation to further the development of the local economy. The board members include:
• HH Princess Fahda bint Bandar bin Mohamed bin Abdulrahman – President
• Ms. Huda bint Abdulrahman Al Jeraisy – Vice President
• Ms. Areej bint Humud Al Ibrahim – board member
• Ms. Aziza bint Abdulaziz Al Khateeb – board member
• Ms. Fayza bint Othman Aba Al Khail – board member
• Ms. Munira bint Abdullah Al Sulaiman – board member
• Ms. Nora bint Saeed Al Amri – board member
• HH Princess Hind bint Abdulrahman Al Saud – board member
• HH Princess Haila bint Abdulrahman Al Farhan – board representative – Director of the RCCI Women’s Branch
