Raja Al Gurg represents the great strides achieved by women leaders in the Arab world

Date: October 12, 2011

The 8th Annual International Business Awards 2011, more popularly known as the Stevie Awards, has named Raja Al Gurg, President of the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), as one of winners during a ceremony held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Hosted under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, the Stevie Awards is the only international, independent, all-encompassing business awards that recognises the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working people worldwide.

The distinction was another key milestone for Mrs. Al Gurg, who has also been a recipient of several other international and regional awards and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “Women to Watch in the Middle East” in 2005. Aside from being president of DBWC, which has established to help women become successful in business and as leaders, Mrs. Al Gurg also manages at least 23 manufacturing and trading companies that collectively employ 3,000 people.

Commenting on the award, Mrs. Al Gurg said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the International Business Awards as this distinction will serve as an inspiration for other women to become achievers in their chosen career paths. Women in the UAE and across the region are now increasingly making positive contributions to the socioeconomic development of the Arab world. We are therefore very grateful that the Stevie Awards has validated the important role being played by women in our society.”

The Stevie Awards is the world's premier business award, which recognizes and generates public awareness about excellence in the workplace. There are four Stevie Awards: International Business Awards, American Business Awards, Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Winners of the Stevie Awards receive a hand-cast, gold-plated, individually engraved trophy created by the makers of the Oscar, Emmy, and Clio Awards. The Stevie Award is taken from the name Stephen, which is derived from the Greek word for "crowned."

Founded in 2002, DBWC motivates women to be productive members of the society, while encouraging role models to rise up from the ranks and inspire other women around the world, especially in the Arab region, to discover their true potential. DBWC organises the high-profile monthly event ‘Majlis Business’ to provide information about the latest knowledge, skills and best practices for women entrepreneurs and leaders.