Winners of the prestigious Emirates Businesswomen Award 2006, launched by Shell and Dubai Quality Group to recognise and honour women achievers in the UAE, will be announced at a formal ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.
A supreme jury chaired by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister of Economics and Planning, and the country’s first woman minister will select the winners of this year’s Award. Other members of the panel include Dr Amna Khalifa, Professor at the Faculty of Education of UAE University, Al Ain, Dr Rawdha Al Mutawa, Chairperson of the Businesswomen Council in the UAE, and non-voting members, Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Head of External Affairs and HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and Environment), Shell and Abdul Qader Obaid Ali, Chairman of Dubai Quality Group.
Al Mahmoudi said: “We are delighted with the enthusiastic response the Emirates Businesswomen Award has received this year from 76 UAE National and expatriate women. Shell is proud to have contributed to this pioneering initiative, which has grown in popularity and stature since its launch four years ago, to become the country’s most sought-after recognition of excellence in the corporate and professional world.”
“The Award celebrates the UAE woman’s entrepreneurial spirit and striving for professional standards and furthers Shell’s corporate philosophy of empowering women to take on positions of leadership and management within our organisation and in society at large. The Award also reflects Shell’s consideration, respect and commitment for development of the different communities that we operate in, achieved through our global drive for Diversity and Inclusiveness. We believe that our Diversity makes us unique and helps us work wonderfully together as one family, while the concept of Inclusiveness brings other people into our sphere of activities and results in a cohesive, progressive and productive society,” Al Mahmoudi added.
Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Bin Jumaa Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will also be honoured at the ceremony in recognition of her pioneering initiatives for the upliftment and empowerment of women in the UAE.
Abdul Qader Obaid Ali said: “Women in the UAE have proved time and again, that when it comes to entrepreneurial ability and professional achievement, they are equal to and even better than men. Dubai Quality Group is privileged to be part of an initiative that helps them in their quest for excellence, for we believe that timely acknowledgement of their effort is of great significance, as it not only encourages women to strive for greater heights but also inspires others to follow in their footsteps.”
The fourth edition of the annual award will be presented in the Business Woman and Professional Woman categories. It enjoys the support of His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Patron of Dubai Quality Group, who will honour Her Highness Sheikha Hind and present the Award to this year’s recipients.
Six finalists have been selected for the Award this year. Candidates were shortlisted after a thorough assessment process that adjudged entries on the five basic criteria of leadership; future goals and financial performance; business, professional and career achievements; community contributions; and participation and innovation.
Launched in 2003 by Shell in cooperation with Dubai Quality Group, the Award recognises the contribution of women entrepreneurs and professionals to the UAE’s socio-economic development and celebrates their successes. It also provides an effective networking forum for women entrepreneurs and professionals to further their businesses and careers and holds up women achievers as role models for other women to emulate.
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 145 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit http://www.shell.com
