A businesswomen's section has been set up in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry RCCI), in a landmark recognition of women's participation in the Kingdom’s economy. RCCI President Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy explained that the section will act as a mini chamber of commerce offering all the services provided by headquarters, to which it will be electronically connected, in order to provide the information needed to help Saudi women run their own businesses.

There are some 2,800 businesses owned by Saudi women, and according to a study conducted by Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University, Saudi women hold a 34 percent stake in private businesses in Riyadh, 25.6 percent in Jeddah and 5.58 percent in Makkah. In Riyadh there are about 5,000 businesswomen, and in Jeddah, around 4,000. Ms. Huda Al-Jeraisy, a member of RCCI’s executive committee, explained that one of the key services of the new women's section will be authentication of the paperwork necessary for the establishment of a new business. It will also run training programs and organize seminars for women.

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