Thaindian News

Abu Dhabi, Oct 9 (IANS/WAM) United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi has found a place in the 2010 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list by the US-based Forbes Magazine.

Sheikha Lubna, who was also recognised as the most powerful Arab woman, was ranked 70th in the list.

According to Forbes, she is “a regional power in her own right” and constantly works on improving the UAE’s global status and bolstering the federal government’s efforts to diversify the country’s economy.

The magazine also acknowledged her trade policy “based on openness and competitiveness” which helped put the UAE “on the road to economic recovery and development”.

Sheikha Lubna is the first woman to hold a cabinet position in the UAE.

Sheikha Lubna said the achievement “would not have been possible” without the support of “the prudent leadership of the UAE to women, an established tradition started by the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and continued by the current leadership to bolster the role of UAE women in sustainable development as well as their international and regional status to become an example to follow”.

She dedicated her achievement to the “wise leadership of the UAE” and to Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, “who sets an example to follow, not only for UAE women, but also for all women in other Arab and Muslim countries.”

US First lady Michelle Obama ranked number 1 on the list followed by Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld and talk-show host Oprah Winfrey. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, singers Lady Gaga and Beyonce Knowels are among the top 10 in the list.

Sheikha Lubna pipped three Arab women. These are Qatar’s first lady Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned (No. 74), Queen Rania Al Abdullah, monarch of Jordan (No. 76), and Kuwaiti businesswoman Maha Al-Ghunaim, ((No. 94).

–IANS/WAM
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