By Theresa F. Weber
The 2014 ranking of the 200 Most Powerful Arab Women was recently published by Forbes. This year the rankings were divided into three categories: 1) Government, 2) Family Business and 3) Executive Management. Given the size of its economy and population, the UAE has done remarkably well.
It only had one less entry than Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the region, and three less than Egypt, the most populous country. In two of the three sector lists – government and family business – an Emirati women came out on top as number one!
Family Business Ranking
This ranking includes family businesses, as well as those set up by enterprising first generation entrepreneurs. To create this ranking Forbes considered privately held companies and used published financial statements and official websites. Each respective company was then contacted and asked to provide further detailed information. Criteria included 1) Degree of power associated with the position; 2) Years of professional experience; 3) Family generation the individual belongs to (in the case of family businesses only); 4) Individual’s media interaction and online presence; 5) Number of years in operation; 6) Number of countries in which the organization has operations and 7) Number of employees.
The UAE leads the list with Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director of the Easa Salaeh Al Gurg Group in the first position. Of the 85 entries 15 are Emiratis. Other top ranked Emirati women included Fatima Al Jaber, COO Al Jaber Group (#13); Amna Bin Hendi, CEO Bin Hendi Enterprises (#14); Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, VP of Marketing, Ahmed Sediaai and Sons (#21); Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei, COO Mazrui Holdings LLC (#26); Hamideh Ismail Harizi, Chairperson Gourmet House (#30); and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO Kalimat Publishing House (#34). The publishing house is the first in the UAE dedicated solely to publishing and distributing Arabic children’s books and Arabic educational content.
Government Ranking
In developing this ranking Forbes considered and analyzed each government in the MENA region before identifying specific individuals. They then contacted those shortlisted and requested all relevant information, while also consulting official government websites and public documents to ensure an accurate ranking. Criteria included 1) The individual’s role in influencing revenues and budget; 2) Degree of power associated with their position; 3) Economic indicators of the country – World Bank’s KAM Index, GDP and GDP per capita; and 4) Length of time in their position.
In the government ranking, the UAE secured the top spot with Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister for International Cooperation AND Development and President of Zayed University. Of the 59 entries, 5 Emirati women were honored. They include Maryam Mohammed Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs (#10); Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State/Chairwoman of the Marriage Fund (#13); Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State who has headed the Dubai 2020 Expo (#14); and Najla Mohammed Al Awar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (#32).
Executive Management Ranking
The Executive Management ranking includes women who hold high corporate posts in private or government owned companies and women at the helm of publicly listed enterprises. Forbes consulted published financial statements and official websites, and contacted each respective company to access the required information. Criteria included: 1) Degree of power associated with the position; 2) Years of professional experience 3) Individual’s media interaction and online presence; 4) Number of years in operation; 5) Number of countries in which the organization has operations; and 6) Number of employees.
Six out of the 56 entries are Emiratis. Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO Economic Zones World was ranked #3 just behind Shaikha K. Al Bahar, Deputy Group CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait (#1) and Dr. Nayla Hayek, Chairperson of Swatch Group in Lebanon (#2).
Other UAE notables include Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Group CEO TECOM Investments (#6); Dalya Al Muthanna, President and CEO, GEO Gulf (#13); Suzzane Al Anani, CEO Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (#21); Noura Al Kaabi, CEO Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (twofour54) (#29); and Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du (#33).
The growing list of Emirati women on the Forbes list is impressive. To learn more check out: www.ForbesMiddleEast.com
