JEDDAH: Women need sponsorship and training to help them succeed in their small business enterprises, delegates heard on Wednesday, the second day of the Women in Leadership Conference being held in Jeddah. Various chambers of business can help women with training, said Layla Ashadawi, President of the Ashreqia Young Businesswomen's executive council. “Almost 89 percent of small businesses in the Kingdom are run by women. If you want to solve the problem of unemployment you should open a small business. These small businesses will help in the development of the country,” said Ashadawi. She said all the chambers of commerce have training centers funded by fees of 12 percent taken from every company by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Training is needed in information technology and other disciplines, she said. “Women also don't know how to get financial help, and where to go, so it's very important to provide information about chambers that can help,” she said. Dalal Kaaki, president of the Business Women's Center at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, agreed that the various chambers can provide training and financial support for women. Lina Al-Maeena, co-founder and director of Jeddah United Sports Company, said that education is not only found in books, but also from life experiences. Deena Al-Faris, the chief executive officer of the Al-Faris Group, said communication is a key component of success. Awards were also handed out at the conference. Wafaa Abbar received the Saudi Businesswomen of the Year Award, National Commercial Bank received the award for the Kingdom's Most Philanthropic Initiative, Lina Al-Maeena won award for Most Innovative Women Entrepreneur, Dr. Maha Al-Muneef won award for Leading Woman in the Public Sector, the Jeddah Municipality for the Kingdom's Most Woman-Friendly Employer, Dr. Haifa Jamalalali for Leading Woman CEO, Mashael Al-Suleiman for Leading Woman in a Family Business, and the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation for Women's Empowerment.
