RIYADH: A total of 850 businesswomen and 45 women journalists attended the two-day First National Forum for Businesswomen here recently, according to Samah Al-Faisal, Information Coordinator for the event. Al-Faisal said the media played an important role in making the event successful. She said women are major contributors to the Saudi economy. Al-Faisal said the success was achieved with the help of the country's rulers, who want to develop the role of women in the Kingdom. Al-Faisal said the event was organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and A'ali Group. She said women spend $20 billion annually and are expected to spend $28 billion by the year 2014. Al-Faisal said this confirms the importance of women in the economy and labor market. Al-Faisal said she expects the forum to become one of the most important activities supporting women's investments in the Kingdom. The forum was held under the auspices of Princess Seetah Bint Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and entitled, “Investment opportunities in the regions”. The forum's deliberations ended last Tuesday.
