UAE’s top women professionals, entrepreneurs recognised

Dubai: Businesswomen from across the UAE were recognised for their professional achievements on Monday night at an awards ceremony held in Dubai.

The 12th Emirates Women Awards, organised by Dubai Quality Group, honoured “extraordinary women professional and entrepreneurs.”

Laila Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant director-general at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), won the award in the professional category.

Al Muhairi is the senior-most woman in the UAE aviation sector, one of the most visible sectors the country has invested in to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.

The awards recognised 11 women from the private and government sector, judging them on their contributions to the community, innovation, leadership skills and financial planning.

Hamda Esmail Harizi, chairwoman of caviar exporting company Gourmet House, received the top award in the businesswomen category, with Hadeel Al Masri, managing partner of management and financial advisory firm Merit, taking the second award in the category.

The awards were held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group.