RIYADH — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said that more than 17,000 Saudi women are working in the industrial cities. "The oases of MODON provide an attractive environment and incubator for women's investments, as well as for entrepreneurs and small projects," he said. The minister made the remarks while attending Al-Mishraq Initiative, organized by the Businesswomen's Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. Alkhorayef said that the ministry's industrial strategy aims to adopt advanced industrial techniques and reduce dependence on low-skilled labor. "The future jobs will be based on creative thought derived from the culture of society," he said. The minister noted that the system of industry and mineral wealth seeks to develop the national industry and achieve the optimal investment of mineral resources, which contributes to increasing the penetration of Saudi exports and their access to global markets, in addition to meeting the requirements of local markets. He stressed that investment in the industrial sector has become one of the easiest investments due to the clarity of procedures and the existence of legislation and possible incentives. Speaking on the occasion, Ajlan Al-Ajlan, chairman of the board of directors of the chamber, said that the Saudi businesswomen were able to keep pace with developments in the economy and the investment environment and they have achieved great successes at all levels. "All fields are open to them and there are equal opportunities for investors, whether they are women or businessmen. The Kingdom's economy witnessed strength and sustainability so that it can achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 through diversifying sources of income and creating attractive invest opportunities," he said. Al-Ajlan noted that the industrial sector is at the top of the list of sectors that are witnessing great development at the level of legislation, investments and capital attraction. For her part, Abeer Al-Houkal, head of the Businesswomen's Committee, said that the meeting shed light on the challenges facing the business sector, and finding appropriate solutions through consultations in a friendly atmosphere that brings together stakeholders and government officials. "This is aimed to contribute to promoting women's investments and encouraging them to enter new areas. This is in a way that enhances communications and integrations between the public and private sectors to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030," she added.
