By Ahmad Al-Furaij and Abdullah Bogis (with photos)
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, April 21 (KUNA) -- The Malaysian magazine, Leaders, has honored Sheikha Hessa Saad Al-Sabah with its top award for women and society development in appreciation for her outstanding efforts within framework of the Arab Businesswomen's Council.
Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapha Mohamed opened the honoring ceremony, with attendance of the Kuwaiti ambassador to Malaysia, Munther Al-Issa, a number of Arab and foreign diplomats and Malaysian officials.
In a statement to KUNA on the occasion, Sheikha Hessa said she was personally honored for representing Kuwait at this level, noting that her honoring was fruit of her work within the council for promoting Kuwait and Arab women. "With His Almighty's help, we succeeded in 12 years in creating an international-Gulf-Arab reputation," she said.
Elaborating on Kuwaiti women, she expressed hope that banks would help the Kuwaiti businesswomen with interest-free loans to facilitate their bids to launch enterprises.
Citing the Business magazine, Sheikha Hessa said 12 Kuwaiti women were among 100 women grouped in the global list of females of outstanding records, noting that she was personally honored for being among those of excellent performance and image.
For his part, the Kuwaiti ambassador congratulated Sheikha Hessa for earning this outstanding honoring.
Sheikha Hessa has served as the head of the Arab council since 1999 and has been honored by various international and regional organizations.
The Malaysian city of Putrajaya hosted, late on Friday, the honoring ceremony for winners of the global leadership award, granted by the magazine annually. (end) asf.aib.rk KUNA 211156 Apr 12NNNN