• Forum discusses key issues regarding empowerment of women in the economic sector
• Private organizations and government entities urged to devise long-term plans to support women’s economic empowerment as part of overall strengthening of economy
• A sustainable economy is not achievable without the participation of women alongside men in economic fields and entrepreneurship
RIYADH, March 20, 2018 – Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation is taking center stage at the two-day Women Economic Forum KSA 2018, which concludes on Tuesday. Economic transformation in the Kingdom, the indispensable role that women are playing in it and how to further enhance female participation are the primary topics under discussion at the Forum.
The Forum, taking place with the support of primary sponsor Saudi Aramco under the theme “Let’s Talk About Tomorrow”, features discussions involving a wide range of up to 1,000 Saudi stakeholders, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, NGO representatives, artists and youths. Presentations and discussions are focusing on the necessity of economic empowerment of women in order to achieve sustainable growth in accordance with the key pillars of Saudi Vision 2030.
Addressing the Forum’s opening session on Day One, Saudi Aramco Vice President of Strategy and Market Analysis, told participants, “Saudi Aramco has a long history in female recruitment and more importantly their empowerment and development in the energy sector. The company continues these efforts to foster diversity and to increase female participation in the national economy.”
The Women Development and Diversity Division from Saudi Aramco, along with a number of females from Aramco subsidiaries, are participating in panel discussions and a workshop called, “Courage to Create Tomorrow.”
Indicating a wide acceptance of the new emphasis on female empowerment in the workplace, Ahmed Al Ghamdi, Vice President HR, STC, another sponsor of the event, said, “Diversity is key to driving innovation and business excellence. We are fully onboard with this fact and have employed a lot of females, some of them in executive positions, at STC. We will continue our efforts and integrate more women into our workforce.”
The Forum is an unprecedented gathering of high-powered public figures and business leaders from Saudi Arabia and beyond who have come together to address five key components that Vision 2030 defines as indispensable to the Kingdom’s economic future: Economic Empowerment, Innovation, Saudization, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and Entrepreneurship. During the Forum’s two-day run, participants have the opportunity to sit in on a number of inspiring keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions and hands-on workshops.
Opening day discussions centered on, among other topics, the significance of the public and private sectors in providing relevant training for women to enter the workplace on an equal footing with men. A number of success stories were recounted.
Discussions also emphasized the importance of banking and financial institutions in economically empowering women by financing businesses run by Saudi women and Saudi entrepreneurs, in general. Also, under discussion was the need for a review of laws and regulations that can assist in fostering an economic environment in which entrepreneurial women can participate as equals alongside men.
The Women Economic Forum KSA is taking place with the sponsorship of Al Rajhi Bank, the event’s official bank sponsor, STC, the telecommunications sponsor, and exclusive mobility sponsor Abdul Latif Jameel. Also sponsoring the event are DHL, GSK, Roche, Berkeley Research Group, EY, Johnson & Johnson, Zohoor Alreef, Apparel Group, Baker McKenzie, Merite, Medtonic and the British Embassy in Riyadh.
For more information on the Women Economic Forum KSA 2018, visit: womeneconomicforumksa.com
