Southeast Asia's Most Successful Businesswomen in Forbes Emergent 25 List

Forbes Asia today announced its inaugural Emergent 25 List, honouring star businesswomen making their recent mark in regional enterprises.

The listees reflect the broader impact women are having in the Asian business world, and were chosen for the money they generate, the influence they wield, and the ideas and trends they are advancing.

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Among those who made the list included 8 women from Southeast Asia,  such as Nurhayati Subakat, Cofounder and CEO
, Paragon Technology & Innovation in Indonesia
.

A devout Muslim, this trained pharmacist became aware of rising demand for halal makeup and skincare products and in 1995 her Wardah (the word “rose” in Arabic) flagship halal beauty brand was born.

As of 2017 PTI had 8,300 employees and according to market research firm ecommerceIQ, held 30% of the beauty products market in Indonesia.

Another proud example was Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, CEO and President, Wilcon Depot in the Philippines. Since this leading home-improvement and building-products retailer went public in March 2017, Belo-Cincochan has led the family business on its most aggressive expansion yet. 

Since its IPO the stock has more than doubled, giving it a market capitalization of $887 million. 

“This new cohort of top-level achievers builds on the pioneering accomplishments of those we’ve recognised in past Power Business Women lists. Glass ceilings are being shattered in many quarters of Asia-Pacific business,” said Tim Ferguson, editor of Forbes Asia, quoted by New Straits Times.

According to consultancy Grant Thornton, these listees reflect the broader impact women are having in the Asian business world, even as the number of women in senior business positions globally retreated over the past year.