Women-run information center opens at Jeddah chamber 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) recently opened the largest communications center run by women in the Kingdom. The center, which operates in the JCCI's headquarters, will prepare a database of local and international businesspeople and supply them with information about the chamber's business activities.

"Information is the need of all sections of people, particularly the business community. The new center will help the community keep in touch with the latest developments in the chamber, including the schedules of forums and seminars," JCCI Chairman Muhammad Al-Fadl told Arab News shortly after opening the center.

Director of the Center Samah Hasnain said the center would operate in the morning hours, coinciding with the JCCI working hours. "We will conduct a study about working in the evening shift before extending the work hours. The staff, who are English speaking graduates, were trained for five months on communication systems, gathering information and telecommunication protocols," Hasnain added.

The JCCI hosted more than 700 events attended by 50,000 people from various backgrounds over the past six months, said Sarah Baghdadi, director of services at the chamber.

"The center will inform customers and various other agencies about the activities of the chamber well in advance. The center will also contribute in promoting the public image of the chamber. It will also help provide more employment opportunities besides building a bridge between the private and public sectors. It will provide logistical support to various sub-committees of the chambers in addition to offering quality services," Baghdadi said. She said the center is run by women with due consideration for religious regulations and professional norms.

Functions of the center include preparing agendas for local and international events, sending invitations and publishing information about forums and other activities and offering subscriptions, she said.