Saudi Database to Boost Women Participation in Economic Sectors

The Saudi government issued several decisions and legislation to enable women to participate in all economic sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government issued several decisions and legislation to enable women to participate in all economic sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Database to Boost Women Participation in Economic Sectors

The Saudi government issued several decisions and legislation to enable women to participate in all economic sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government issued several decisions and legislation to enable women to participate in all economic sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the Council of Saudi Chambers intends to involve businesswomen in various economic sectors, issues, training and qualification programs, initiatives, and investment opportunities.

It will do so by building a database for directing invitations to enable women to enter appropriate projects.

At the Council of Saudi Chambers, a Women Empowerment Coordination Council (WECC) was established in accordance with a Cabinet decision.

The decision stipulated the formation of a women’s committee with experience and competence to coordinate with the relevant authorities to encourage private sector establishments to find activities and fields of work for Saudi women.

Furthermore, the WECC issued a circular asking all Saudi chambers to collect the required data to be able to send invitations to the programs and initiatives offered.

The WECC aims to increase the participation of Saudi women in the national labor market as it seeks to ensure the localization of the female labor force, the provision of new opportunities, and the development of capabilities.

Overall, the council looks to activate the role of Saudi Women in the field of economic development. It also wants to remove obstacles inhibiting their participation in various fields of work.

Saudi Arabia, according to its national strategic objectives, is pursuing the empowerment of Saudi women, as the number of establishments owned by women reached more than 174,000 in 2021.

Among the efforts spent by the Council Saudi Chambers in terms of women empowerment is Saudi women being given representation on the boards of directors of chambers. They have also been given a chance to chair several national committees and business councils and attained membership in those committees and commissions.

The empowerment of Saudi Arabian women is at the heart of the Kingdom's 'Vision 2030' reform program with the stated aim of increasing women participation in the job market from 22 % to 30 %.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development worked to empower women, raising their participation in the labor market by the end of the third quarter of 2022 to 37%, exceeding the country's vision goals of 30%.



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
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Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.