TECOM Investments launches 'Pearl Awards' to recognise outstanding achievements of business partners

The Awards aim to drive excellence and industry best practices within each Business Partner organisation and throughout the TECOM free zone, while contributing to Dubai's status as a leading knowledge-based economy.

Open to all licensed Business Partners that have been operating for at least 12 months within TECOM Investments' free zones, the Pearl Awards will include a total of 11 categories, comprising one individual and 10 organizational awards. Winners will be recognized at a gala awards ceremony on 29 January, 2009.

Dr Amina Alrustamani, CEO, TECOM Business Parks, said:

"Since inception, TECOM Investments has encouraged the development of knowledge sectors and its Business Partners through various industry clusters. Most of our Business Partners have not only grown to achieve excellence, but have emerged as leaders in their respective industries. The Pearl Awards is a celebration of the mutual success and growth that we have achieved as a result of the relentless efforts of our Business Partners. The Awards also aim to set new benchmarks in operational excellence within the knowledge clusters, eventually contributing to the UAE economy."

The growth of TECOM Investments since its first entity, Dubai Internet City, opened in October 2000 has been significant.

The ICT cluster has consistently recorded higher year-on-year performance, registering a growth rate of 33 per cent in 2007 alone.

Dubai Knowledge Village grew a respectable 16 per cent last year, while Dubai Media City witnessed a solid growth of 40% in 2007.

TECOM's newer entities such as International Media Production Zone, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, Dubai International Academic City and Energy and Environment Park also witnessed astounding growth rates.

Dubai Studio City, the Middle East's first dedicated film production cluster, achieved 263 per cent growth in 2007.

Dr. Amina added: "We credit this exponential growth period to the support and progress of our business partners. We have witnessed the emergence of new companies, developing from start-ups to becoming regional leaders, while numerous international companies have also utilised the platform of TECOM's free zones to grow their market in the region. These stories of business growth and development are merely the beginning of what can be achieved through working together."

Early feedback from TECOM Partners has already proved promising, with Manoj Tilwani, a sales specialist from Kol Corporation, a Dubai Internet City Business Partner, commenting: "The Pearl Awards will encourage companies within TECOM to share information and knowledge, while serving as a valuable mechanism to provide feedback to TECOM. It will also contribute to building a strong community spirit among the Business Partners within the free zones."

Amitabh Tewari, President of InfoTouch in Dubai Internet City, said: "The Pearl Awards will validate Business Partners' focus on initiatives related to CSR and environmental, health and safety (EHS). In the absence of such competitions, companies are likely to get caught up in their internal issues. Such awards will spark greater communication and enhanced dialogue among the entities on these core philosophies."

Taimur Saadat, a Technical Analyst for Arab Capital Markets, a Dubai Knowledge Village Business Partner, said: "This award is definitely a good platform for companies including smaller players to be publicly acknowledged for their achievements."

In its inaugural edition, the Pearl Awards will include categories for Corporate Social Responsibility Achievement of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Employer of Choice, Fastest Growing Company of the Year, Customer Service, Globalization & Diversification, Contribution to the UAE Society, HSE Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, Company of the Year, and Award for Maximum Suggestions made through VOICE IT - TECOM Investments' complaint and feedback management system.

Submissions to the Awards from Business Partners will be evaluated by third party assessors, who will offer recommendations to the jury for their final selection of award winners.