The torch has been handed over to her by her illustrious father and she has made sure the family flame is burning bright: business expanded and diversified, new brands launched, renowned international brands brought into the fold, and a positive workplace culture enhanced efficiency and production. No wonder Dr. Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish is inspiring women entrepreneurs not just in Oman but throughout the Middle East and elsewhere.

The chairperson of the renowned business house, Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC (MHD), Dr. Areej is widely recognised for her role in establishing the business conglomerate as a leading one in Oman. Beginning her career with MHD in 1994, she moved up the ladder and steered the business to new heights through sound leadership, planning, perseverance, foresight and determination.

She believes in seizing the right opportunities, developing a long-lasting relationship with business partners and implementing a positive workplace culture that increased both productivity and efficiency. She attributes her success to her late father whose resolve and vision embarked the firm onto the path of progress through expansion and diversification of business divisions.

Under her leadership MHD LLC has won several awards – “Top 100 Achievements Register 2019 Award” under the Business & Economy category at the Achievements Forum 2019 held in London. At the same event she was awarded Manager of the Year Award.

Forbes Award ‘Celebrating Oman’s Success’, Menaa Award for Best Corporate Brand Award 2019 and Automotive Supplier of the Year 2020 – Oman Prestige Awards Her entrepreneurial lead from her father late Mohsin Haider Darwish – the founder and architect of MHD – motivated her to establish her own business venture under Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC in 2014. Moreover, she also launched and spearheaded two brands: BLESSING Chocolates & Gifts and First Impression Artwork.

Dr. Areej is on the board of many private organisations in Oman, namely, Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOG, Duqm United Logistics, Muscat University, Dar Al Atta and Unicef Leadership Circle. Dr. Areej’s phenomenal success has become an inspiration to women entrepreneurs in the Middle East.

She was recently honoured by the European International University (EIU), Paris, France. The prestigious university has conferred her with a Professional Doctorate in Global Leadership & Management. She has been ranked among Forbes Middle East’s 100 Powerful Businesswomen in 2020.

Besides, she has received several recognitions such as Exemplary Leader, Most Inspirational Woman 2020, Most Influential Female Business Leader 2020- Oman, and Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year, to name a few. “Women bring unique experiences to the table and use these experiences to boost productivity and motivational level of an organisation.

I am confident that in the coming years more and more young Omani women will play an important role in the nation’s development,” Dr. Areej says. MHD’s diverse business divisions pride itself on its association with some of the renowned international brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, McLaren, Volvo, MG, Ford, Ashok Leyland, Michelin, Huawei and KDK.

“As chairperson, my vision is to augment the family business.We look at diversifying our sources of revenue in line with the country’s vision by venturing into new markets and diversifying into new sectors.We aim to inspire and train the young Omani generation to steer ahead in their careers and enhance their knowledge and expertise to the changing and dynamic business environment.”

Areej Mohsin Darwish