H.H. Sheikh Ahmed presents the Emirates Businesswomen Award 2005

The runners-up awards were presented to Anita Boadita, Managing Partner of Jobtrack, and Faranak Foroughi. Head of Private Banking at The Private Office, National Bank of Dubai.

Ms. Barakat and Dr. Matar won the Business Owner and Professional Awards 2005 respectively, while Ms. Boadita and Ms. Foroughi were the runners up in the respective categories. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and president of UAE Women's Association and Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister for Economy and Planning, were honoured in recognition of their achievements and contribution to the welfare of women in the UAE.

The Emirates Businesswomen Award is organised jointly by Shell and Dubai Quality Group (DQG), and recognises the contribution of businesswomen in the UAE. The award is open to Nationals and expatriates and is awarded in two categories - Business Owners and Professionals. This year, the awards were presented to the winners at a gala ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Speaking at the occasion, Charles Watson, Regional Business Director, Middle East, North East Africa and South Asia, Shell Gas & Power, said, "The Emirates Businesswomen Award is one of the ways we wish to pay tribute to the remarkable contribution of women across various spheres. Women have proven time and again that they can match and often surpass the abilities of men in all fields, be it academics, medicine, engineering, aeronautics, research, business, sports, art or politics. This award will boost and encourage more women to believe in themselves and come forward to take up the challenge in this competitive scenario."

"Shell has been extremely active in its efforts towards the empowerment of women. We have put in place a program that seeks to encourage women to take up positions across the organisational hierarchy, including top management. We believe it is our duty to empower women not only because they make up half the population but more because they play crucial roles in social and business arena," added Watson.

The winner of the Business Owner Catergory, Hoda Barakat is the Partner and Head of Intellectual Property Department of the Al Tamimi Group. Al Tamimi's IP Department attained international fame following her joining the firm, and has now become the leading IP practice in the Middle East. Anita Boadita, the runner up in the Business Owner category, is Managing Partner of Jobtrack, the prestigious human resources consultancy based in Dubai. She has over 22 years of professional experience in industries and functional areas including banking, electrical engineering, construction, pharmaceuticals and marine construction.

The winner of the Professional Category award, Dr Mariam Mohammad Matar, is the manager of the Health Centre at the Dubai Ladies Club and also serves as the Medical Adviser at The Corporate Office (TCO). Dr. Matar is credited with initiating the first UAE osteoporosis support group as well as the Wellness Centre, the first centre in UAE for health and psychosocial education of university-level students. Faranak Foroughi, the runner up in the Professional Category is the Head of Private Banking at The Private Office, National Bank of Dubai (NBD) and responsible for the development of NBD's private banking unit in Dubai and London, and manages a staff of 28 relationship managers, the operations team and investment management team in Dubai and London.

"Women have been playing a crucial role in key sectors, but often their achievements have gone unnoticed. The Emirates Businesswomen Award is our effort to acknowledge the contribution of women especially in business. We are certain that this Award will act as a driving force to encourage more women to demonstrate their leadership and entrepreneurial qualities," remarked Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Shell External Affairs Manager.

Commenting on their support to the award, Abdulqader Ali, Chairman, Dubai Quality Group, said, "We are glad to be a part of the Emirates Businesswomen Award, which is a tribute to women in the region. We shall continue our support to this award and we hope to have a major positive impact on women in various fields, who have contributed immensely to the growth and stability of the society."

"The award is a tribute to all the women in the Arab world who, with their contribution and achievements in their role as business leaders have helped thousands of women believe in their abilities and inspired them to come forward and demonstrate their skills in all spheres. The quality of entries received this year is ample proof that women in the UAE are reaching new heights of achievements in business and have set international standards of performance," remarked Judith Barton, Chief Assessor and Member of the Supreme Jury for the Award.

Two juries- Prime and Supreme- comprising of well-known professional and business leaders selected the award winners. Members of the Prime jury included Brenda McKay, Director of Nursing, Cromwell Hospital, London; Maggie Clifton, Head of Research and Quality Assurance, The Development Partnership, UK; Dr. Lway Nackasha, Quality Awards Manager, Department of Economic Development, Dubai; Stuart Jones, Director, Al Futtaim Tarmac; Thanaa Mahmoud El Tabie, Institutional Organisation Specialist, Department of Economic Development, Dubai; Michelle Hooker, Manager of Performance Development, Emirates Airline; Rimzie Ismail, Manager, Marketing and Business Development, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Judith Mary Barton, Chief Assessor, Emirates Businesswomen Awards 2005.

The Supreme jury consisted of Dr. Rawda Al Mutawwa, Head of Business Women Council in Abu Dhabi; Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman, Kanoo Group; Dr. Habib Al Mulla, Chairman of Dubai Financial Services Authority, and Hala Mouneimne, Programme Analyst, United Nations Development Programme.

Winners of the Emirates Businesswomen Award 2005 will receive a crystal trophy and butterfly-shaped diamond jewellery courtesy of Damas.