JEDDAH: There should be more investment in women's business to help them succeed, said Princess Lolowah Al-Faisal, Vice Chair and General Supervisor of the Board of Trustees, Effat University. “The public and private sectors should create a healthy investment environment,” she added. Princess Lolowah made these comments on the opening day of the Women in Leadership Forum on Tuesday in Jeddah. “History has proven that women can be great leaders. The effective leader is one who is well aware of his or her association's goals, and can develop and execute strategies,” she said. “There is no difference between men and women leaders. They might have different agendas but they have leadership skills,” said Princess Lolowah. “The Kingdom has signed two agreements with the United Nations to not differentiate between men and women in business,” she added. The first session of the forum highlighted the qualities and resources needed for successful entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs have to gain knowledge and improve their skills all the time, according to Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, President of Effat University. “To be an entrepreneur, it is very important to gain knowledge,” she said. Enas Hashani, Chief Executive Officer at Rumman Company, argues that uneducated people can be entrepreneurs. Most entrepreneurs are drop-outs, she said. “The guy in the street who sells balila is not educated,” said Hashani. Muna Abu Sulayman, Secretary General of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, said entrepreneurship is about developing a business plan, getting started and constantly improving on it. Dr. Arwa Al-Ama, Vice Mayor for IT/Women's Affairs at Jeddah municipality, said, “Women entrepreneurs need the support of banks, the private sector, and chambers of commerce on how to develop business plans.” She added that it may not be a bad idea for women to start businesses from home to gain experience.
