Kuwait, 21 March, 2007: Gulf Bank's Acting Chief General Manager, Mrs. Sana Juma, has won a prestigious Stevie Award for Women in Business. Mrs. Juma was named Best Executive in Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Mrs. Juma was one of 35 women executives and entrepreneurs from around the world to be honored in the 3rd Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The winners were announced at New York's Marriott Hotel on March 3rd, in ceremonies attended by more than 180 nominated women from the US and eight other countries.

Mrs. Juma was also nominated as a Stevie Finalist in the categories of Lifetime Achievement Award and Best Executive in a Service Business of up to 2,500 Employees.

"I am thrilled to receive this international recognition,"Mrs. Juma said. "This is a great honour, not only for Gulf Bank and for me personally, but for all women in professional and entrepreneurial roles in Kuwait. Winning a Stevie Award demonstrates that Kuwait's women executives are among the world's best and it shows just what we can achieve."

The Stevie Award for Women in Business is an international award that recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding women executives and business owners. A Board of Distinguished Judges and Advisors including leading women entrepreneurs and prominent figures in business presided over the awards. More than 600 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration.

Mrs. Juma was congratulated by the Chairman and Managing Director of Gulf Bank, Mr. Bassam Yusuf Alghanim. "Sana Juma is a deserving winner," Mr. Alghanim said. "She has made an important contribution to Gulf Bank's success and is a wonderful role model for other women executives in the banking industry."

The Stevie Award for Women in Business is the second Stevie Award won by Gulf Bank. Last year, Gulf Bank received a Stevie International Business Award for the best HR Team, becoming the first Kuwaiti company to receive a coveted Stevie Award.

The Stevie Awards have been hailed as "the business world's own Oscars." (New York Post, April 27, 2005). The elegant Stevie trophy was designed by R. S. Owens, the same company that makes the Oscar and the Emmy.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists and Stevie Award Winners are available at www.stevieawards.com/women.