- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi trade fair provides platform for female entrepreneurs
- Date: 1st October 2013
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2013) (REUTERS ) VARIOUS OF SAUDI WOMAN RINGING BELL VARIOUS OF EXHIBITOR SELLING BALELAH (CHICKPEAS) CUSTOMER PAYING MONEY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SULAIMAN, VISITOR, SAYING: ''It's a new idea (the exhibition). Frankly we saw new things from Saudi girls, we found products made by the girls, that are a good price and quality than in the markets.'' VARIOUS OF EXHIBITION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MAYSA OTHMAN, UNIVERSITY STUDENT, SAYING: ''I was surprised by the support of the parents and their families towards their daughters. I found that fathers and brothers were standing with their daughters in many parts of the exhibition, providing support to them. This is progress.'' VARIOUS OF SWEETS AT STAND IN EXHIBITION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NOUF AL ASKAR , EXHIBITOR ,SAYING: ''With regards to my store, NS Sweets, it's special with Mamoul and Ghorayeba, it's all home-made and fresh, we make it and sell it immediately and this is the first time that there is such a large demand for my products.'' VARIOUS OF FASHION SECTION AT TRADE FAIR VARIOUS OF CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES ON DISPLAY CUSTOMERS LOOKING AT PRODUCTS CLOSE OF DRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OM ABDUL-RAHMAN, EXHIBITOR, SAYING: ''The problem is that everyone is asking me: Are these my designs, or if I brought it from elsewhere? Why should I bring it from elsewhere? Thank God, we are owners of thought, taste and knowledge, with all this, we are also the owners of a religious obligation.'' VISITORS AT EVENT EXHIBITION FRENCH VISITOR BUYING TRADITIONAL BOX (SOUNDBITE) (English) LORANCE, FRENCH VISITOR, SAYING: ''All the women were very nice, it was beautiful works and I find many things from Saudi and like it.'' CLOSE OF LOGO OF SAUDI CRAFTS WITH ARABIC WRITING - THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE CHARACTER AND HANDICRAFTS VARIOUS OF SAUDI WOMEN MAKING HANDMADE PRODUCTS OUT OF PALM FRONDS HANDMADE PRODUCTS EXHIBITION PRINCE OF RIYADH KHALID BIN BANDAR LISTENING TO EXHIBITOR CLOSE OF ELECTRIC PRODUCTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRINCE OF RIYADH, KHALID BIN BANDAR BIN ABDULAZIZ, SAYING: ''I hope that this exhibition, god willing, will continue and that we will see the creations of our daughters in Saudi Arabia with what they are offering in-house and for their homeland, and really there are qualified and skilled hands that can advance our dear homeland.'' BANNERS AT TRADE FAIR VARIOUS OF WOMAN TEACHING CHILDREN TO GRIND FLOUR WITH WITH MILLSTONE
- Embargoed: 16th October 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Business,General,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2CYWZXP2VKTPG4D1POEZL89LZ
- Story Text: Traders taking part at an event in Riyadh attempt to draw customers to their stalls.
But this event in the Saudi capital is different. All the traders here are women, who have come from all parts of the kingdom to promote their products.
The oil-rich Arab state is attempting to introduce more women into the workplace, with the opening of more employment opportunities.
With more than 500 female entrepreneurs taking part in this trade event, some of the male visitors said they're pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products on offer.
''It's a new idea (the exhibition). Frankly we saw new things from Saudi girls, we found products made by the girls, that are a good price and quality than in the markets,'' said one visitor Sulaiman.
Saudi Arabia is a patriarchal society in which women are not allowed to drive and need permission from their male guardians - father, husband or brother - to go abroad or take certain jobs.
But some women here are happy to see that male relatives are taking a step back and acting as moral support for the women in their families.
''I was surprised by the support of the parents and their families towards their daughters. I found that fathers and brothers were standing with their daughters in many parts of the exhibition, providing support to them. This is progress,'' said one visitor, Maysa Rahman.
Many of the items on show here, are made by the women in their homes, they include clothing, food and accessories.
One exhibitor is Nouf Al Askar, who makes home-made sweets. She said she's witnessing a healthy appetite from customers for her treats.
''With regards to my store, NS Sweets, it's special with Mamoul and Ghorayeba, it's all home-made and fresh, we make it and sell it immediately and this is the first time that there is such a large demand for my products,'' she said.
The six-day event in Riyadh has also attracted expatriates.
''All the women were very nice, it was beautiful works and I find many things from Saudi and like it,'' said Lorance from France.
Attending the trade fair on Sunday was Prince of Riyadh, Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz, who said women can contribute to the country and allow it to 'advance'.
''I hope that this exhibition, god willing, will continue and that we will see the creations of our daughters in Saudi Arabia with what they are offering in-house and for their homeland, and really there are qualified and skilled hands that can advance our dear homeland,'' said the prince.
As it stands, few women own their own businesses, and a recent report by the World Bank found that the country tops the list of states that limit women's economic potential.
But with the large turnout of female entrepreneurs here, they seem determined to change their own fate and that of their country's economy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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