Dubai Quality Group (DQG) and Shell Group of Companies in UAE have launched the sixth cycle of the Emirates Business Women Awards (EBWA).

The event, which is held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, will recognise and reward exemplary contributions of women in business and professional sectors in the UAE.

Prior to selecting the winners, DQG and Shell, which have co-organised EBWA since its highly successful debut in 2003, will conduct a series of workshops from January to March 2008 and will accept applications for the award until April 3, 2008. Final assessment and the culminating ceremony will be held in May 2008, said an official spokesman.

EBWA is one of the foremost awards in the UAE that recognises the extraordinary contributions of women, and operates with the aim of cultivating equal opportunities and building a better society.

Winners are chosen based on five criteria: Leadership; Future Goals and Performance; Business, Professional and Career Achievements; Community Contributions and Participation; and Innovation.

“DQG recognises the importance of the proactive participation of women in the group’s mission of promoting business excellence in the country. DQG, in partnership with Shell and with the full support of the UAE Government, is committed to encouraging women to go beyond their traditional roles and make an impact on the corporate world,” said chairman of DQG Marwan Al Sawaleh.

“We will continue to be faithful to the core objectives of EBWA, in order to encourage women to participate in the economic development of the country, honour women who have excelled in their field, and promote role models among women who also aspire to achieve their full potential. EBWA will remain an integral part of Shell’s Corporate Social Responsibility program in the Middle East,” added communications manager at Shell Omar Al Qurashi.

The award is open to nationals and expatriates and will have two categories – Business Owners and Professionals. In the Business Owners category, the applicant must currently own a business located in the UAE that has been in operation for a minimum of three years.

The applicant must also be primarily responsible for the current performance of her business. The Professional category applicants must be employed in the UAE for a minimum of three years. All candidates for the EBWA 2008 will be given the advantage of mentorship from winners of EBWA 2007.

EBWA is also supported by Paris Gallery, a leading retailer of luxury goods and services and the core retail division of Al Fahim Enterprises. Paris Gallery, which has been one of the UAE's leading proponents of professional women’s development, will sponsor the prizes that will be given to the winners.

DQG was established in 1994 by the Department of Economic Development under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Among the programmes that the group implements annually are conferences, workshops, seminars, benchmarking initiatives and networking opportunities. – TradeArabia News Service