Washington: Two Indians figure in a list of the world's top 50 businesswomen announced by the 'Wall Street Journal' today (Nov 8, 2004).

The inaugural "Women to Watch" survey of the newspaper places Indra Nooyi, president and CEO of Pepsico in India on the 16th position.

Nooyi has been nominated for being one of the lead negotiators of the $ 13.9 billion acquisition of Quaker Oats and its prized Gatorade brand.

The newspaper said the list was "designed to recognise women who have achieved noteworthy successes in business in the past year, as well as those who are poised to play important roles in business in the years to come."

The deputy CEO of HSBC in India Naina Lal Kidwai also finds mention in the list at 34th position for helping Indian companies raise billions at home and abroad.

The 50 women were selected by a team of 'Wall Street Journal' reporters and editors from 550 nominations worldwide.

The list, which placed Carly Fiorina of Hewlett Packard on the top, also included seven other Asians.

Xie Qihua, chairwoman of China's Shanghai Baosteel Group was the top ranking Asian in the list.