"Binaa Wa Amal" to host Executive Women Roundtable

Alaquil: "Session will bring together Jeddah's leading businesswomen to discuss key challenges as the Kingdom looks to boost its female workforce"

Jeddah, August 24^th, 2015: Pearl Initiative, the leading independent private sector-led, not-for-profit organisation working across the Gulf Region to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency, has partnered with Binaa Wa Amal, a division of Construction Products Holding Company (CPC), a leading Saudi closed joint stock company specialized in manufacturing of quality construction products and exceptional services in the field of building material to host an executive women roundtable for Jeddah's leading business women.

The event will focus on the findings of a recent report conducted by the Pearl Initiative, "Women's Careers in the GCC: The CEO Agenda", which examines the position of women on the corporate ladder across the Region, and seeks to determine what can be done to increase equity in the workplace.

Saudi women hold 13 per cent of national private and public sector jobs in the Kingdom, despite accounting for 51 percent of Saudi graduates, according to data from the Central Department of Statistics and Information.

Faysal Alaquil, CPC Director of Business Development & Chief of (Binaa Wa Amal), said: "At CPC recognise the importance of encouraging women in the workplace across Saudi Arabia and look forward to being an active partner in this effort. This roundtable will provide an excellent opportunity for Saudi businesswomen to share their career journey and share advice on how to be successful in the workplace."

Commenting on the event, Imelda Dunlop, Executive Director of Pearl said "Diversity in leadership teams and on boards is an important corporate governance issue. It's about building healthier and more competitive organisations, through improving corporate governance practices and high-performing leadership teams. Our report "Women's Careers in the GCC: The CEO Agenda" makes recommendations to CEOs in the Gulf Region on how to achieve better gender diversity at senior levels, based on the findings of an extensive survey and focus groups of over 600 women in managerial and senior leadership roles.

"We are proud to bring this roundtable to Jeddah in order to share our findings and recommendations with Saudi businesswomen. It will also be an excellent opportunity to understand their views about the challenges and opportunities that face women in the workforce, particularly in the Kingdom."

CPC and The Pearl Initiative signed a memorandum of understanding in 2014 to work together to boost corporate governance efforts.

About Pearl Initiative:
The Pearl Initiative is the leading independent, not-for-profit, by-business for-business, organisation working across the Gulf Region of the Middle East to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency.

Pearl Initiative is a regionally-focused growing network of business leaders committed to driving joint action, exhibiting positive leadership and sharing knowledge and experience in order to positively influence the entire regional business and student community towards implementing higher standards in areas such as governance in family firms, diversity in leadership teams, anti-corruption, integrity in the supply chain, corporate reporting and responsible investment.

Originally developed in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships in 2010, the Pearl Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact drive joint programmes in 2013, as part of their Strategic Partnership, in order to advance the adoption of the "Ten Principles" by the private sector within the Gulf region.

For more information about Pearl Initiative
Claire Ferris-Lay
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +971 (0) 4 4507 638
Email: claire.ferrislay@bm.com

About (CPC):
Construction Products Holding Company (CPC) is a dynamic and reputable entity possessing a wealth of global experience in construction products serving elite clients. CPC's head office is in Jeddah, with branches in Riyadh, Bahra, Dammam, Damascus, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Cairo, Doha and Casablanca.

Under the professional and experienced staff, our branches specialize in vital elements for any construction project including Steel, Marble, Granite, Precast Concrete, Glass, Adhesives, Ready Mix, Electric Cables, Electro mechanic, Aluminum, and Wood Products and a rental equipment company.

Together they provide the industry with all their requirements from one industrial park.

By implementing these strategic principles along with the National Industrial Strategy of Saudi Arabia, it represents a conscious effort to fulfill our vision of.... "Your Complete Building Solution"

For more information on CPC:
Please contact Mr. Saleh Fareed
Perspective International
E-mail : saleh@perspectiveintl.com
Mobile : +966 5054611745