SIDELINES
FORBES MIDDLE EAST
6
Holding The Power I think that—much like children or pets—when it comes to our annual issues, we are not really supposed to have favorites. Every month is a valuable, informative, and entertaining read. But I’m afraid I can’t help it. Our list highlighting the Middle East’s most successful, influential, and inspiring businesswomen is up there for me—one of my top three for sure. For a couple of distinct reasons. Firstly, it celebrates and commends women for being excellent, which is always going to be one of my favorite things to do. Secondly, it shows just how many women there are holding some of the most challenging and important positions in MENA, which is something we may otherwise be unaware of. The three leaders we feature this month are playing fundamental roles in making the Middle East a globally competitive marketplace. Sarah Al Suhaimi, Chairperson of the Saudi Tadawul Group, is heading the region’s largest capital market, and last year oversaw its own IPO, as well as an extensive restructure designed to make the kingdom an even more attractive bet for international investors. Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive at ADGM Courts, helped build the judicial system for one of the U.A.E.’s biggest financial free zones based on a digital-first premise that put it one foot ahead when the pandemic hit. And Maryam Al Suwaidi, CEO of the U.A.E.’s Securities and Commodities Authority, has just overseen the application of a suite of new legislation that makes it even easier for businesses in the region to make an IPO part of their future plans. This year’s list of MENA’s most powerful businesswomen features representatives of 19 different nationalities and 17 sectors. The U.A.E. and Egypt scored the most entries with seven each, followed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, and Oman, with four entries each. The banking and financial services sector is the most dominant with 16 entries, followed by diversified conglomerates and the retail sector with six entries each, and the technology sector with five. Over 25% of the women on this year’s list are leaders of regional offices and divisions for multinational companies, such as Saeeda Jaffar of Visa, Derya Matras of Meta, Sophie Doireau of Cartier, and Rima Assi of McKinsey & Company. And there are 12 newcomers, eight of which are based in the U.A.E., two in Qatar, and two in Saudi Arabia. All in all, this month is one of our regular powerhouse issues, which I think shows how the Middle East is becoming ever more progressive, inclusive, and future-focused. I hope you enjoy finding out more about the businesswomen making this possible.
—Claudine Coletti, Managing Editor
F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M
FEBRUARY 2022
