The Emirates Businesswomen Award 2005 ranks high with the corporate community

The workshop, led by Caroline Wehbeh of Shell - co-organizer of the EBWA- sparked off a lively discussion on the steps women can take to maximize their business and professional potential.

Participants also appreciated the opportunity the workshop offered for high level executives to network and exchange ideas. Asma Ladki, Human Resource Manager, Middle East and Africa, Kodak (Near East) Inc said, "I am pleasantly surprised by the EBWA. It is a driver for change that allows women to think out loud and share their knowledge, expertise, and best practices with each other and across generations."

Beena Abraham, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Controls, added, "The EBWA is an excellent initiative that will encourage women in the UAE to further excel in their professional fields. It also enlightens the community about the benefits the UAE government offers to expatriates who contribute to the UAE economy. I will definitely participate in the award."

The chief assessor for the EBWA 2005, Judith Barton who is also the Managing Consultant of The Development Partnership explained, "There is a spirit of achievement surrounding this award which inspires an evolving energy in the participants. This drive for success has made choosing the winner exceptionally exciting for all of us involved, as we believe that our winner has to be one of the most dynamic and enthusiastic professionals working in the UAE today."

"The response to the workshop demonstrated that senior business women in the UAE put considerable value on the EBWA as a prime means of gaining recognition for the role women play in the country's economy," said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Markets Middle East. "We are confident we will have a similar reaction at the further workshops we have scheduled"

As momentum for the Emirates Businesswomen Award 2005 builds, organizers of the award - Dubai Quality Group and Shell- are holding a number of workshops involving key businesswomen's associations across the UAE. These workshops will include groups such as the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, Dubai Businesswomen Council, Jebel Ali Businesswomen women group.