Qatar Business Women Award 2008 unveils its logo and website and announces the launch of workshops

The first workshop will take place at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI) on 28 April 2008.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the QCCI headquarters by Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Raheem Al-Emadi Vice-Chairman of QCCI, Mrs. Aisha Alfardan, Vice-Chairwoman of Qatar Business Women Forum, and Mr. Andy Brown, Shell Country Chairman in Qatar.

QBWA 2008 will identify and pay tribute to Qatari women who have been contributing to Qatari society and economy through their significant professional or entrepreneurial accomplishments. This award will focus on women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and managerial qualities in their fields. QBWA 2008 is being promoted and organized by a partnership comprising QCCI, Qatari Business Women Forum (QBWF) and Qatar Shell (Shell).

Created by Fatma Al Moghunni, a distinguished graduate of VCUQ, the logo's design is inspired by the emergence of Qatari women as business and professional leaders and who are at the center of the economic growth and prosperity that the country is witnessing. It also portrays Qatari women who are taking confident steps in shaping the nation's future, side by side with their male companions, but still keeping their roots and culture. The design conveys these concepts in harmony. The Qatari flag shaping the woman's profile emphasizes the interdependency between the modest woman and the nation; one shapes the other. The pearl symbolizes the precious harvest of the nation through its educated women. The design is kept delicate and simple yet sophisticated and bold in announcing the success and appreciation of Qatari women.

The new QBWA website: www.QBWA-qatar.com will provide all the necessary information on this unique award. Its design is simple and friendly to the user seeking to understand what this recognition is all about and the process that needs to be followed to apply for the award.

In order to provide interested ladies with information about the application process and selection criteria for this award, four workshops will be conducted over the course of the next two months. Carried out in both Arabic and English, the half-day workshops to be held at the QCCI and will take place on the following dates: 28 April, 14 May, 15 May and 2 June. The QCCI is located at C-Ring road.

QBWA 2008 is open to Qatari women under two categories - Business Owners and Professionals. To qualify for the Business Owners category, the applicant must own a business located in Qatar that has been in operation for a minimum of three consecutive years with primary responsibility for the current performance of her business, while for the Professional category, the applicant must have been employed in any professional sector in Qatar for a minimum of three consecutive years.