In this October 29, 2014 photo shows a model of a train at the company’s operation building in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Plans are under way to hire Saudi women to work on the multibillion-riyal metro in the capital city, said Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

Opening the Producers Exhibition and Conference at the Riyadh International Convention Center, Prince Turki also urged the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to support efforts to create jobs for women.

He said there should be more support for the computer repair and maintenance businesses run by Saudi women. “Having home services offered by Saudi women is better and safer than relying on migrant workers or men for these services,” he said.

Prince Turki described Saudi women as the compassionate half of the nation.

“We are proud of the participation of women in handicrafts, and have noticed their development in the field.”

Mansour Shathri, chairman of the board of trustees of the Riyadh Center for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, said that the exhibition was being held to support women-owned businesses.

“The chamber is supporting computer repair and maintenance enterprises run by women by providing their contact information to all businesses. This will spread the word about their services,” he said.

Shathri said 550 women are participating in the exhibition, out of 2,300 female applicants who submitted their work.

He said the RCCI is posting their numbers and information at the exhibition site.

Hiba Anqawi, founder of “My Special Computer” business, said she was happy with the support from Prince Turki.

“I started my business four years ago. I used to provide my services free at the beginning to build up a customer base. Many people were skeptical about dealing with Saudi women or preferred to rely on men,” she said.

She soon attracted 50 requests a month for computer repairs, and eventually began providing at-home services to reduce the transportation burden.

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