Second Emirates Businesswomen Award will honour outstanding women in business and the professions

Open to both nationals and non-nationals, the initiative, bringing public and private sectors together under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, aims to raise the profile of women in business in the UAE by recognizing and rewarding outstanding achievement.

This second award, which culminates in a glittering ceremony in Dubai in May, is also being supported by UNDP (the United Nations Development Programme) and the Emirates Businesswomen's Council. Closing date for entries is 15 February next year.

"We are now inviting women from across the UAE to enter for the Award," said Ahmed Al Banna, Chairman of the Dubai Quality Group. "The quality of the entries to the first Emirates Businesswomen Award proved that there are many women in the UAE who excel in their fields and have succeeded in becoming inspirations and role models for women in our society.

"This prestigious award demonstrates UAE's vision, determination and strategy in creating equal opportunities for women and in building a better society. We urge national and non-national women to submit entries for the award and show, once again, that women have every right to be proud of their achievements."

Entries for the award will be assessed by a panel including representatives of both the public and private sectors. They will take into account a number of criteria including style of leadership, future goals of the business, professional and career achievements as well as community participation.

The Dubai Quality Group and Shell developed the Emirates Businesswomen Award to encourage women to play an increasingly active part in business in the UAE, to enter tertiary education and to foster the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in women in the country today.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Manager External Affairs, Shell Dubai & Northern Emirates, said: "Our sponsorship is part of our strategy of supporting initiatives that benefit society and are sustainable. The Emirates Businesswomen Award clearly falls within that strategy and is an important step towards developing the full potential of the business community in the UAE.

"In addition, one of Shell's prime objectives in adopting a worldwide Diversity and Inclusiveness Standard in 2000, was to increase the representation of women at senior levels throughout its businesses to 20 per cent by 2008. We are committed to leading by example, by becoming a company where women's talents are fully recognized and rewarded worldwide.

"The success of the first award has been followed by a marked increase in women's groups activities and greater attention being paid to the topic of women in business. We hope the second award will continue to sharpen that focus."

Since 1985, the number of women working in the private sector in the UAE has risen 10-fold. This year the total number of businesswomen has reached almost 10,500 according to figures from the Emirates Businesswomen's Council.

Raja Al Gurg, Chairwoman of Emirates Businesswomen Council and President of Dubai Businesswomen Council said: "Women are becoming more involved in business and there are many success stories out there. The Emirates Businesswomen Award is an important vehicle for telling those success stories and inspiring women not simply to join a profession or a business but to aim for the top."

Hala Mouneimne, Programme Analyst of the UNDP in the UAE, commented: "The United Nations Development Programme is keen to support the Emirates Businesswomen Award which is an inspiration to women to continue to build their confidence, trust their abilities, and actively participate in the economic growth of the country.

"Last year's entrants were outstanding examples of women in the UAE who have applied their business talents and dedication to create both business and social enterprises, driven by their own identity, passion and values, for the benefit of society."

"By promoting entrepreneurial skills in women, the Award is a key contributor to the improvement of quality in business in the region," added Ahmed Al Banna. "We believe that the significant contribution women are making across a range of different business sectors will be highlighted through this Award."