Saudi Arabia will build four industrial clusters around Riyadh dedicated to women entrepreneurs with the aim of reducing the unemployment rate among Saudi women, a senior official said.
The ministry of commerce and industry (MOCI) is studying the proposal that was submitted by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and approved by Prince Dr. Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdul Aziz, minister of municipal and rural affairs, according to a statement to Zawya by RCCI deputy chairman Saad bin Ibrahim Al-Meijel.
The women-only clusters are part of the government's plan to create 36 industrial zones in Saudi Arabia.
Investment in each city is expected to exceed SAR 70 million, Al-Meijel said, with each of them occupying an area of up to 500,000 square meters.
RCCI has completed the necessary studies to establish the four cities and presented them to MOCI, he said. They will host manufacturing and industrial firms under 30 categories, as well as teach women new crafts. The proposed clusters will be located on the east, west, south and north of Riyadh.
"The establishment of these cities constitutes a step through which RCCI is seeking to serve all areas of Riyadh, and helping to find local industrial products made by women, and a new base for the recruitment of female job-seekers," Al-Meijel said.
The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) is expected to contribute toward funding and support of these industrial areas.
Women's factories in the kingdom require several rules with regard to work permits, as announced by the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), including non-mixing of men and women, both during the establishment of factories or their operation, by building high walls as well as adopting a design that allows cars loaded with raw materials or carrying products, led by men, to enter factories unseen by women.
© Zawya 2012
