In what is a proud moment for the Sultanate, four Omani women have been featured in the Forbes Middle East’s Power Businesswomen List for 2021.

According to Forbes, the year’s annual ranking of the Middle East’s most powerful women in business came off the back of one of the most challenging years that most companies had experienced in recent times.

Forbes stated: “The 50 leaders we highlight here have shown resilience, flexibility, and strength in the face of unprecedented adversity, both in the workplace and in their communities.”

This year’s power businesswomen hail from 19 countries and work across 16 sectors.

Here are the Omani women who have made it to the list:

Haifa Al Khaifi

Rank #30

Title: CEO; CFO

Company: Energy Development Oman; PDO

Sector: Oil and Gas

Haifa was named CEO of Energy Development Oman (EDO) in January, a new holding company established in late 2020 with the mandate to, among other things, represent the government’s stake in Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the largest oil and gas producer in the sultanate that produces 1.21 million boe/day. Al Khaifi will lead EDO’s team alongside her role as the Finance Director of PDO, which she has held since 2012 after joining the company in 1998. Haifa was also the board director and treasurer at Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) for two years.

Note: Bio sourced from Forbes

Hind Bahwan

Rank #38

Title: Founder & Chairperson

Company: Bahwan CyberTek Group

Sector: Technology

Bahwan founded BCT in 1999. She is also the Chairperson of the Omani French Friendship Association, and in 2020 she launched a fragrance brand, Ojar. BCT is a global provider of digital transformation solutions in the areas of Predictive Analytics, Digital Experience and Digital Supply Chain Management, and has delivered solutions in 20 countries across North America, the Middle East, Far East, Africa and Asia.

Note: Bio sourced from Forbes

Areej & Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish

Rank #40

Title: Chairperson; Chairperson for Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial & Consumer Solutions (ITICS)

Company: Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC

Sector: Diversified

Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC was established in 1987. Areej added new luxury automotive brands such as McLaren to the business. She also established her own business venture under the name of “Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC” and launched two brands: “Blessing Chocolates & Gifts” and “First Impression Artwork”. Lujaina is involved in the strategic and operational aspects of the business and is responsible for the Omanisation strategy of the group. The company has partnered with Swedish-Swiss ABB for renewable energy and electric stations and has ventured into new sectors in line with the Oman 2040 vision.

Note: Bio sourced from Forbes