JEDDAH: Saudi women account for 39 percent of the total number of entrepreneurs in the Kingdom, up 35 percent over the past 10 years, according to a report published by Al-Eqtisadiah on Sunday.
According to official statistics presented for World Entrepreneurship Day, the number of Saudi women entrepreneurs grew significantly from 2007 to 2017, from 4 percent to 39 percent, thanks to government and private support.
On Nov. 25, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) hosted International Entrepreneurship Day activities by providing seminars and educational lectures to empower women globally.
The events were organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers, the National Commission for Entrepreneurship, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, and in cooperation with private companies.
Dr. Nabil Kushak, the dean of MBSC, said that supporting and encouraging the creativity of women entrepreneurs contributes to the development of the economic cycle and provides an attractive and sustainable business environment.
“The role of women in the business and financial environment is an integral part of what we aspire to through our vision, which is an important direction in our responsibility toward the country.
"We aspire to strengthen our role not only as a higher private education college but also as a platform for ideas and commercial opportunities available to society.”
Sarah Al-Ayed, the ambassador of the regional Women Entrepreneurs’ Day in the Middle East and North Africa, presented an overview of regional and international initiatives and programs for World Entrepreneurship Day.
She pointed out that “the benefits given to entrepreneurs, especially women, are great. Women have proved their presence in the market. They are as trustworthy.”
She explained that “whoever says that Saudi youths do not work should reconsider and understand the size of projects being run by young men and women.”
More than 200 men and women students and entrepreneurs attended the event.
It included workshops and discussion sessions on the seven basic traits of the entrepreneurial personality, including motivation, innovation, risk, leadership, vision, flexibility and decision-making.
Saudi female entrepreneurs increase by 35% in 10 years: Report
Saudi female entrepreneurs increase by 35% in 10 years: Report
Saudi-Yemen program provides $81.2m to operate more than 70 power plants
- Grant will improve reliability of electrical power to critical facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports and ports
- Move follows last week’s announcement by the SDRPY of a larger aid package totaling $506 million to support Yemen
LONDON: A tripartite agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, the oil company Petromasila, and Yemen’s Ministry of Energy and Electricity to supply petroleum derivatives for the country’s power plants.
SDRPY is supporting the Yemeni government with an $81.2 million grant to purchase 339 million liters of diesel and mazut from Petromasila to operate more than 70 power plants across various Yemeni governorates.
The grant follows last week’s announcement by the SDRPY of a $506 million aid package to support Yemen’s education, health, government and infrastructure sectors.
The SDRPY highlighted that the grant will improve the reliability of electrical power to critical facilities, including hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports and ports. Additionally, the funding will stimulate the Yemeni economy and support the Central Bank of Yemen by easing the pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
It reduces the Ministry of Finance’s fuel-related financial burden and supports the Ministry of Electricity and Energy in improving the efficiency of power plants in Yemen, the SDRPY said.
In 2018, the SDRPY provided $180 million, in addition to $422 million in 2021 and another $200 million in 2022, as grants to Yemen to purchase oil derivatives and operate vital sectors of the country.
