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Businesswomen Award introduced

DUBAI- A special Businesswomen Award has been launched to recognise the contribution women make to the business, commercial and professional life of the UAE.

The awards have been instituted by the Dubai Quality Group's professional women's sub-group and Royal Dutch Shell under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates airline. There will be four awards in all. The awards categories will include women in businesses with less that 25 employees and larger organisations and will be made to both owners and professionals. The winners will be announced in April and the deadline for applications is February 28. The awards are open to both local businesswomen and expatriates.

It will be judged on visionary leadership, future goals, professional achievements, career achievements and contributions to the community. Women account for more than 70 per cent of people in higher education in the UAE with and 42 per cent of people studying natural sciences, which includes computer science. That has helped put the UAE at the top of the league as one of the most modern technology countries in the Arab world. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairman of of the Emirates Environmental group, said: "The rapid growth of information technology in the UAE has come at a significant time when women in the country, both nationals and expatriates, have begun to explore a variety of opportunities for personal and professional development.

"The continuous strong support of the Government and the ease of access to business systems have all made this an excellent medium for growth for women." Hussain Al Mahmoudi, external affairs manager for Shell Companies in Dubai and the Northern emirates, said: "Over the past few years we have been noticing evidence of an exciting transformation that shows women in the UAE surging forward to achieve what they want by sheer determination and strength of character.

"Businesswoman may be a relatively new term here, but judging by recent trends we shall certainly see more of businesswomen in the UAE in the near future. "It is precisely to make this concept a reality that Shell is supporting this initiative from the Dubai Quality Group to recognise women's contribution in the business, professional and commercial arena.