SimplyAbuDhabi V

51 S IMPLY ABU DHABI Taking Control in Challenging Circumstances As the second largest Arab economy and the fourth largest oil exporter in the world the UAE’s current growth will continue to be powered by new technologies. The UAE’s capital markets including its stock exchange have grown rapidly in a short period in comparison to equity markets of other Gulf economies. Within a challenging economic environment she has overseen many successful economic projects and under her leadership global chemical industries based in the UAE have seen significant expansion despite the difficult global environment. At the end of 2011 Abu Dhabi’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Her Excellency remarked that free trade and the prevention of protectionist measures had been among the most important growth factors that led the UAE economy to recovery from the global financial crisis. Innovation has played a huge role in the growth of the region and credit must be given to Her Excellency as she has strived to promote a culture of innovation and encourage entrepreneurial aspirations throughout the population of the UAE. Enforcing highly intellectual property policies and ensuring provision of incentives for enterprise, Lubna is dedicated to the creation of more job opportunities for the young people of the UAE. She takes great pleasure in her role as Minister of Foreign Trade and as one of the most Prominent government officials in the UAE she uses her power of leadership to promote trade in her county and prosperity amongst her people. Recognising within her role the importance of fostering strong international trade relationships she visits four countries every month to stay informed and build on relations. A Fitting Tribute Her pivotal role in the UAE Government as the Minister of Foreign Trade is time consuming and highly involved, yet this remarkable woman doesn’t stop there. On 27 Jan. 2012 in Washington, Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi was named member of the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership (ICWBL) in recognition of her such outstanding achievements. It is only fitting that her outstanding efforts in women’s empowerment across all fields be marked in this prestigious manner and the tribute is highly deserved. ICWBL provides the United States government with vital support on major issues in international business and economic policy, such as the successful assimilation of business interests and women’s economic empowerment into overall foreign policy; the role and restrictions of international economic institutions from a gender- specific angle; and the Department of State’s role in promoting and actively developing the role of women within a competitive global economy. During the council’s inaugural session, held in presence of the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other high profile women leaders, Sheikha Lubna was delighted to join an illustrious, diverse, and international membership for the Council. Representing a wide range of expertise and backgrounds, she is in good company as council members include Cherie Blair, Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (United Kingdom) and Indra Nooyi, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo, Inc. (USA). Secretary Clinton will serve as the Council’s Chair. Thanking Secretary Clinton for bestowing the honour of becoming a member of this important initiative, Sheikha Lubna told the council it was; “a great honour to the women of the UAE and a testimony to the significant progress made by the women of the UAE in political, social, economic and cultural fields.” She went on to assert that the wonderful achievements made by the women of the UAE, were made possible thanks to the country’s inspirational leadership under the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Showing no Signs of Slowing Ministerial duties it seems are just the beginning. Sheikha Lubna is also actively involved in a number of ambitious businesses ventures such as sitting on the Board of Directors (honorary) for the National US Arab Chamber of Commerce. Her incredible achievements in both the public and private sectors speak volumes about her vision and ability. In a passionate bid to persuade more Arab women to set up their own retail businesses she has even launched her own perfume line. Leading by example to encourage the nation to achieve great success she is living proof that women really can have it all. So, she’s one of most powerful 100 women in world according to Forbes List? Well the evidence speaks for itself.