Dubai Quality Group and Shell team up to reward UAE's most dynamic businesswomen to create role models

The Emirates Businesswomen Award instituted by Dubai Quality Group and Royal Dutch Shell to honor women who have made a significant contribution to the business development in the country, has generated widespread interest among UAE's businesswomen and women professionals. The fact that this award is being launched under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Airline has also added to the consequence of the award, which has laid down stringent parameters to judge the entries.

"Women in the UAE have begun excelling in every field of activity, including the tough male-dominated world of business and finance, reflecting the country's progressive thinking and vision for the future. This contribution from the women residents of the country is a manifestation of the visionary leadership provided by our Rulers," said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chairman, Dubai Quality Group. "The Emirates Businesswomen Award is a timely tribute to women with dreams, drive and determination, who with their entrepreneurial qualities make a difference in the world of business. We believe that UAE-based women will increasingly take the lead in business and professional environments and contribute to quality improvement and strategic development of the region. This award seeks to single out some of the most extraordinary businesswomen who dared to dream and deliver."

The Emirates Businesswomen Award seeks to recognize the success achieved by women residents in the UAE in the world of business either as businesswomen or a professional, with the objective of creating role models that will spur other women to scale new heights. Dubai Women's Association, a prestigious women's group that includes members from all communities in the UAE, has expressed its support for the award.

"The UAE is rightly proud of the leadership role women have begun playing in business and community," said Fatma Al Sari, Media Co-ordinator, Dubai Women's Association. "In the past few years, women's achievements in the business sector have been dramatic and praiseworthy, providing role models for the rest of the region. Dubai Women's Association is proud to support the Emirates Businesswomen Award as it promises to publicly acknowledge the spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership that contributes to making great corporations, organizations and societies."

"The Emirates Businesswomen Award reflects Shell's global philosophy of encouraging women to occupy the highest post in decision making and in corporate leadership, as part of its larger objective of attracting the best business brains, irrespective of their gender," said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Manager External Affairs, Shell Markets (Middle East). "Having observed the dramatic rise of women in leadership roles in the UAE, Shell considers it an honor to support the Emirates Businesswomen Award which, we are happy to note, has begun to create high excitement among businesswomen of different nationalities."

The Emirates Businesswomen Award is open to UAE nationals as well as expatriates holding UAE residence visas. There are two main categories for the award: Smaller Enterprises employing less than 25 persons and Larger Enterprises employing more than 25 persons. Each category has two sub-categories: Business owners and Professionals.

The entries will be judged on the following criteria: Visionary Leadership, Future Goals, Professional Achievements, Career Achievements and Community Contributions. The submission document should not be longer than 14 pages. Two sets of documents are to be submitted. The language could be Arabic or English.

The last date for submitting entries is January 30, 2003 with the winners to be announced in March 2003. All applications must be forwarded to the following address: Dubai Quality Group, P.O. Box 9278, Dubai, UAE.