RIYADH — Prince Sultan Bin Saud Bin Muhammad Al Saud called investors to draw Saudi women to work in gold and jewelry industry and stressed the need to benefit from their creativity in a wide sector with an annual purchasing power of over SR75 billion.

The remark was made during the official inauguration of the 7th Jewellery Salon held in Riyadh at Prince Sultan Grand Hall in Al Faisaliah Hotel.

He also urged the importance of opening academies and specialized institutes for training girls in the design and formulation of gold, in addition to marketing, selling and supporting services.

He pointed out to the Ministry of Labor resolution to nationalize gold and jewelry sector that contributes to providing thousands of job opportunities for Saudi youth and in the near future similar opportunities for women in case of academies and specialized institutes that contribute to their training and qualification to join the sector.

He called for women to benefit from the opportunity and join the sector as investors or employees.

He said: “In the next few years, investors will have a great responsibility to give Saudi women the opportunity to work in gold shops to keep pace with the changes taking place in society and to respond to Vision 2030, which aims to increase the participation of women in the labor market from 22 to 30 percent.”

He furthered said the Kingdom has the prospect to be one of the important capitals in the gold and jewelry trade with the recent rapid growth of the industry and the state's plans to promote regional and international partnerships to diversify production and investment.

As he was touring the exhibition accompanied by the chairwoman of organizing committee, Haya Al-Sunaidi, Prince Sultan praised the Saudi women designers in “The Promising” pavilion, confirming that they presented a wonderful example of the high-style Saudi women and remarkable experiences worthy to be encouraged by investors and supporters of the sector.

The exhibition was attended by a wide range of visitors and more than 50 international companies competing to showcase, the latest in diamonds, gems, rare watches and precious antiques. French, British, Italian, Swiss, American, Indian, Turkish, Emirati, Lebanese, as well as the famous Saudi companies, in addition to 12 of the promising designers where international designers were keen to attract visitors to the exhibition.

Haya Al-Sunaidi expected that “Jewellery Salon” in Riyadh would receive the same success of Jeddah’s “Jewellery Salon” of last week. She said that the four-day event has a remarkable social interaction and attracts all segments of society and not limited to women only. She noted that it boosts Kingdom's regional and international position among the world's leading countries in exhibitions and conferences, expressing her gratitude and appreciation to Prince Sultan Bin Saud for motivating participants and his great interaction with the exhibition.

“Jewellery Salon is a platform for the latest in the industry in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. It is the premier exhibition in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, featuring the world's largest and most prestigious jewelry and watch companies”. Al-Sunaidi expected the exhibition would achieve the vision 2030 pillars through strengthening partnerships with countries around the world, empowering Saudi women and boosting their presence in labor market. The event is the official portal for gold and jewelry traders in the world to join the Saudi market as one of the most attractive international markets.

Al-Sunaidi expressed her happiness at the continued support of the promising designers following the great success in Jeddah, saying: "Our present to talented Saudi women continues in Riyadh, they will be granted unique spaces to display their products next to the most famous designers in the world," pointing out that this step mirrors the social responsibility of the exhibition officials and is in line with the main strategic objectives of the convention by highlighting the local products, enhancing the spirit of citizenship and encouraging Saudi talents,” Al-Sunaidi said. — SG