UAE: Sheikha Lubna most powerful female in Arab World

UAE: Sheikha Lubna most powerful female in Arab World
- Maha Karim
Sunday, 06 March 2011 22:31

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna has been named as the world’s most powerful female Arab, according to a new list published by CEO Middle East.

Sheikha Lubna, according to the magazine, “Has been challenging traditional opinions about women in business ever since she developed a system that reduced cargo turnaround at Dubai Ports Authority from one hour to ten minutes.”

She also sits on board of directors for Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry amongst many others and is on the board of directors (honorary) for the National US Arab Chamber of Commerce.

The Emirati was placed just ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Lubna Olayan, boss of Olayan Financing, with another Emirati, Salma Hareb – CEO of Jafza – in third place.
The head of the Alwaleed Foundation in Lebanon, Leila El Solh, was ranked fourth, while Dalia Mogahed, an advisor to President Obama, came in at fifth.
The list examined the influence of Arab women across the globe across all sectors, including business, science, media, sports, academia and entertainment.

HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi is the Minister for foreign Trade and was previously Minister of Economic and Planning of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was appointed on November 2004. Sheikha Lubna holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. She is a member of the ruling family of Sharjah and the niece to His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi.

Lubna graduated from the California State University, Chico with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, and has an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah. Lubna received an honorary doctorate of science from California State University, Chico.
Board of Directors
Lubna Khalid Sultan al Qasimi sits on various boards at organisations aside from responsibilities as UAE Economy and Planning Minister and Tejari CEO.

* Board of Directors for Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
* Board of Trustees for Dubai University College
* Board of Trustees for Electronic-Total Quality Management College, Dubai
* Board of Trustees for Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, Arizona, USA
* Board of Trustees for Zayed University
* Board of Directors for the Dubai Autism Center
* Board of Directors for Simsari.com
* Board of Directors (Honorary) for National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce