YourBusiness announces awards shortlist

The 2008 YourBusiness SME Awards marks the anniversary of YourBusiness publication in the market and by extension seeks to reward entrepreneurs for growth and best practices in various categories. Winners will be announced at an industry breakfast event at Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai on October 20th 2008.

Seven leading local and international companies stand as sponsor for each of the seven categories of the Award, headed by Visa International as Platinum Sponsor of the overall winner category, Best SME in the GCC; and Emirates NBD as Gold Sponsor of the Fastest Growing SME in the GCC. The category for the Best New SME in the GCC is sponsored by HP Middle East while Hamriyah Free Zone Authority sponsors Best Young Entrepreneur in the GCC and FORSA sponsors Best Female Entrepreneur in the GCC. Etisalat and DHL participate in the award by sponsoring Best Use of Technology by an SME in the GCC and Best Franchised SME in the GCC respectively.

The judging panel, which comprised of YourBusiness editorial advisory board members and high-level SME industry practitioners and business owners met last week in an open forum where these industry experts discussed each individual nomination and determined a highly commended winner in each category.

Zoya Malik, editor in chief of YourBusiness, commented, "I was thrilled at the conclusive outcome of shortlisted finalists by the seventeen Judges on the voting day. Our judges were impressed with the professionalism and transparency with which YourBusiness management team organised the Awards' shortlist vetting and voting procedures and that is precisely the response we aimed for, to set the highest of standards in terms of SME finalists and process. The judges did a sterling job of fair and unbiased discussion and deliberation during the judging session."

Judges unanimously praised the voting process. Judge Ahsan Ali, head SME Banking at Noor Islamic Bank PJSC said, "It was quite heartening to see that industry professionals took out almost an entire day to debate and finalise the results. The process was fair, very well thought out and the supporting material was quite extensive. All the nominations were quite exceptional in their own right, which made our job quite difficult. The YB team has to be commended for the seamless execution and the transparency of the entire process."

Judge Gareth Parry, Managing Director, Franexcel said, "I was very impressed with both the quality and diversity of the entries for the awards, all of whom have obviously made an impact in the respective markets. The judging process was extremely professional and I was very happy to see the interest and impartiality shown by the judges, who themselves are great exponents in supporting small and medium businesses. This was one of the most professional judging panels I have been a part of."

Judge T.V. Ramesh director Finance & Strategic Planning, Hamriya Free Zone, said, "It was a wonderful experience for me being on the judging panel of YourBusiness SME Awards 2008. Well defined judging criteria and the organised way in which the proceedings were handled made our job easy even though there were equally competent entries in most of the categories. I am sure these coveted awards will be an inspiration to the young, yet growing SMEs in the GCC region."

The industry's positive response has set the tone for YourBusiness Awards to be the industry leader in rewarding successful SMEs and execeptional entrepreneurs throughout all sectors across the GCC. YourBusiness Awards is equally open to local and expatriate business owners alike.

Judge Gautam Sen Gupta, managing partner, Market Vision Research & Consulting Services FZ-LLC concurred, "I thought the final shortlist was robust, an impressive set with representation not just from UAE companies but also from the rest of the Gulf, and with five or more candidates in each category allowed for debate amongst the judges before the vote; overall a good effort."

Bud Keegan, General Manager, DIT Publishing, said:

"The quality of all nominations received from SMEs, not just the short-listed finalist companies, highlights that the Gulf region is expanding rapidly with a wealth of entrepreneurs showing initiative and business skills. It is an exciting time to be involved within the SME sector in the Gulf."

Full details of finalist companies:

- Best Female Entrepreneur in the GCC:

Abier Hamidi, Strawberry PR & Events
Sasiya Hussain, Orators' Forum Institute for Human Development and Behavioural Therapy FZ LLC
Badria Mustafa Mohammed Rashid Al Ali, Geelato Trading
Annabel Shepherd, Horseworld
Mala Ramakrishnan, Classic Quilts & Quilting LLC
Jane Drury, Expat Web Services FZ LLC
Kelly Lundberg, Divine FZE

- Best Franchised SME in the GCC:

Saj Express LLC
Heritage for Henna
Zohoor Al Reef Ltd
Fish World Trading

- Best New SME in the GCC:

GulfSport Racing LLC
Content Syndicate: Words on Demand
Desert River
Falcon Oilfield Services LLC
EnviroServe Services
The Third Line

- Best Use of Technology in the GCC:

Inter Future Technologies Trading LLC
TrackIT Solutions FZ LLC
One Connection Media LLC
Spectrum FZ, LLC
Falcon Oilfield Services LLC

- Best Young Entrepreneur in the GCC:

Maryam H. Al Blushi, Promo In Advertising FZ LLC
Nada Alawi, National Occupational Safety & Health Centre (OSHO CENTRE)
Mohammed Johmani, O2 Marketing Communications
Ali Al Kayed, One Connection Media LLC
Maddy Reddy, Content Syndicate: Words on Demand
Mohammed Saeed Harib, Lammtara FZ LLC

- Fastest Growing SME in the GCC:

TrackIT Solutions FZ LLC
National Occupational Safety & Health Centre (OSHO CENTRE)
AL JOWDER FLOWERS AND LANDSCAPING
i-Segway
The Third Line

Full details of the winners of YourBusiness SME Awards will be published in the December issue of YourBusiness or can be found online on YourBusiness Magazine website.