A recent ranking of the most powerful women in the Arab world lists the UAE as one of its strongest performers.

In its third annual ranking, Forbes Middle East has unveiled three lists – the 100 most powerful Arab businesswomen; the world's 10 most powerful Arab women making a difference globally; and the 10 most powerful Arab women in government.

The UAE is tied for second with Lebanon in terms of number of entries, with 17 women on the three lists, after Egypt, which leads the list with 22.

Egyptian Nemat Shafik, deputy governor of the Bank of England, was named the most powerful Arab woman, followed by lawyer Amal Clooney from Lebanon at number two, and Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development, was named the most powerful Arab woman in government, and was joined by Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, at number 10.

The UAE's strongest performance came in the business segment. Raja Easa Al Gurg, managing director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group and a board member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, was named the second most powerful Arab woman in business. She was joined on the list by Fatima Al Jaber of Al Jaber Group, in fourth, and Shaikha Al Bahar from the National Bank of Kuwait in fifth.

Other prominent businesswomen based in the UAE include Maitha Al Dossari, chief executive of Emaar Retail, and Kawthar Makahlah, chief executive of BCI Group.

In the list of most powerful businesswomen, 60 per cent of them held executive management positions.
Source: The National