JEDDAH — Pearl Initiative, the leading independent private sector-led, not-for-profit organization working across the Gulf Region to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency, has partnered with Binaa Wa Amal, a division of Construction Products Holding Company (CPC), a leading Saudi closed joint stock company specialized in manufacturing of quality construction products and exceptional services in the field of building material to host an executive women roundtable for Jeddah's leading business women. The event will focus on the findings of a recent report conducted by the Pearl Initiative, “Women's Careers in the GCC: The CEO Agenda”, which examines the position of women on the corporate ladder across the region, and seeks to determine what can be done to increase equity in the workplace. Saudi women hold 13 percent of national private and public sector jobs in the Kingdom, despite accounting for 51 percent of Saudi graduates, according to data from the Central Department of Statistics and Information. Faysal Alaquil, CPC Director of Business Development & Chief of (Binaa Wa Amal), said: “At CPC, we recognize the importance of encouraging women in the workplace across Saudi Arabia and look forward to being an active partner in this effort. This roundtable will provide an excellent opportunity for Saudi businesswomen to share their career journey and share advice on how to be successful in the workplace.” Commenting on the event, Imelda Dunlop, executive director of Pearl, said: “Diversity in leadership teams and on boards is an important corporate governance issue. It's about building healthier and more competitive organizations, through improving corporate governance practices and high-performing leadership teams. “Our report ‘Women's Careers in the GCC: The CEO Agenda' makes recommendations to CEOs in the Gulf Region on how to achieve better gender diversity at senior levels, based on the findings of an extensive survey and focus groups of over 600 women in managerial and senior leadership roles. “We are proud to bring this roundtable to Jeddah in order to share our findings and recommendations with Saudi businesswomen. It will also be an excellent opportunity to understand their views about the challenges and opportunities that face women in the workforce, particularly in the Kingdom.” CPC and The Pearl Initiative signed a memorandum of understanding in 2014 to work together to boost corporate governance efforts.
