women from the UAE have made it on the list of 200 most powerful Arab woman - selected from the industries of government, family business and executive management. The minister for international cooperation and development, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi was awarded the most powerful woman in government, whilst Fatima Al Jaber was recognised for her work the Al Jaber Group. Amna BinHendi, the chief executive of BinHendi Enterprises was also applauded. 

Interestingly, Egypt had the highest number of entries at 29, followed by Saudi Arabia with 27 and the UAE with 26.

The UAE's Raja Easa Al Gurg took first place in the family business category for her work as the managing director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group.

The list highlights how women are increasingly better represented in the region not just in the business world, but in politics also – across the region. Out of the 200 pioneering women in the list, 59 are women in key government positions.

Kuwait's Sheikha Al Bahar, deputy group chief executive of the National Bank of Kuwait and Lebanon's Nayla Hayek, chief executive of the luxury watchmaker Swatch also feature in Forbes special feature.

Owing to the introduction of women to Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, for the first time after legislation was passed last year, the 2014 list also features 9 women from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Raja Easa Al Gurg

Fatima Al Jaber