Women entrepreneurs ‘can further boost’ Saudi-Bahrain business ties

Bahraini and Saudi businesswomen have agreed to strengthen their regional grouping as a platform to boost economic co-operation. This came as businesswomen from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia took part in a forum to extend co-operation in business and economic spheres.

The participants called on Bahraini-Saudi business leaders to take advantage of the huge opportunities for growth in sectors such as tourism and hospitality, as well as traditional economic sectors including fashion, food, health and beauty. They stressed that business opportunities are available to Bahraini women and their Saudi counterparts in equal terms with men, pointing to the importance of women’s initiative to take advantage of these opportunities. Moreover, participants pointed out that women entrepreneurs are essential partners in achieving Bahrain’s and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to achieve sustainable national development, diversifying national income sources away from oil, stimulating the private sector and supporting SMEs to enhance their export and employment capabilities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, Chairman of Alwane Bahrain Ammar Awachi, said that women entrepreneurs have a lot to contribute towards further developing the trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. “Today we are looking to strengthen the presence of women in the growing economic activity between the two countries and how women can play a key and perhaps leading role.”

Therefore, he stressed the keenness of Bahraini institutions like the Supreme Council for Women and the Tamkeen Labour Fund to support Bahraini women. Awachi pointed out that Alwane Society, which is concerned with the economic empowerment of women finds that this seminar is very important in exploring opportunities.

“We believe that partnership must be fruitful and mutually beneficial so that it can continue to grow and flourish,” he said. For her part, Ishraq Mohammed Ubaid, Head of Economic Affairs at the Saudi Embassy, stressed that Saudi Arabia believes in the role of women and it has always sought social, political and economic empowerment, provided a safe environment and provided services to facilitate its duties.