By Amal Al-Sibai
Saudi Gazette
Another woman to carve a niche for herself in the Kingdom is Sawsan Shadly, who has recently been chosen as the Ambassador of the prestigious Arab Business Club.
Shadly holds a master’s degree in business administration from the King Abdulaziz University. She is the owner of Saudi International Center Group (SIC Group), which specializes in organizing and administrating events — the first events company owned by a Saudi woman on a large scale.
The SIC Group was established in Jeddah in 2005 and within a short period of time it managed to secure a safe spot at the top of this competitive sector.
In 2008, the SIC Group was awarded the title of Best Event Management Company in the Middle East by the Institute for International Research (IIR Middle East).
“Today the group has become a leading events company as a result of its creativity, dedication, and professionalism. We are increasingly becoming well-known worldwide through our membership in the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA),” said Shadly.
Shadly is also a member of the Saudi Consumer Protection Agency, Dubai Businesswomen Council, Meeting International Professionals, and is a consultant and advisor for the Centennial Fund. The goal of the Centennial Fund, a charity with a royal charter, is to help young Saudi men and women achieve financial independence by helping them start their own commercially successful businesses.
With Shadly’s new appointment comes both privileges and responsibilities. As an ambassador of the Arab Business Club, Shadly will have access to the elite business circle in the Arab world. She will also be expected to promote its membership and activities, hold networking events, and develop business relationships between her city and the rest of the Arab world.
The Arab Business Club has branches dispersed over 22 countries with 8,500 members and serves businessmen and women, investors, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and marketing professionals.
Upon receiving the title of Saudi ambassador for the Arab Business Club, Shadly said: “I consider this recognition both a personal gain and an achievement for all Saudi women. I hope to use my position to strengthen the business ties between Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, and to be part of the informational, educational, cultural, and business exchange among countries in the Arab world.”
Shadly’s supporters are confident that she will meet the demands of her new title and will do an excellent job. Her success can be attributed to this motto that she said has strongly influenced her throughout the years.
“The words of the great writer, Mustafa Al-Sibai are always ringing in my head. He said, ‘Man often tends to build himself a prison out of his own fears and illusions that prevent him from free movement and taking off.’”
