Naina Lal Kidwai takes over as Ficci President

"Kidwai, 55, is the first woman and professional manager to be elected as President of the chamber," Ficci said in a statement at the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting here.

Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, she has been recognised in India and abroad with several awards and has won global listings as "Top women in business" in the Fortune and "15 Global Influentials in 2002" in the Financial Times, the statement said.

She is also a recipient of the country's prestigious civilian award Padma Shri for her contribution to trade and industry, it said.

Kidwai succeeds R V Kanoria of Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd.

Sidharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro India Ltd and Digjam Ltd, has been elected as Senior Vice-President of Ficci.