ASIANS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR A QUEEN'S AWARD
(6th June 2005)

Successful Asian-owned companies are being invited to apply now for a chance to win a Queen's Award for Enterprise - the UK's most prestigious Award for business-related achievement. And Asian entrepreneurs who have been inspired by or supported by particular individuals can now express their gratitude by nominating them for a Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion. This new Award honours those who encourage enterprise skills and attitudes in others.

Both business and individual Queen's Awards are supported by Lord Bhatia, co-founder of the Ethnic Minority Foundation and one of the champions of the UK's ethnic minority communities. He says: "I know that there are many outstanding companies in the Asian business community and I urge them to apply for a Queen's Award. Winning such a prestigious Award gives an unparalleled opportunity for a company to shine both in the British business world and internationally. Even the process of applying for an Award, which is free, is good for business. It allows you to benchmark your achievements against those of your business peers."

He adds: "I would also urge business community members to put forward the names of mentors for a Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion. There are many people working tirelessly behind the scenes as mentors to encourage entrepreneurship in others and they deserve recognition too." The Queen's Awards for businesses are open to any UK-based organisation with two or more people, which has excelled in any of three categories - International Trade, Innovation or Sustainable Development.

Alongside the prestige of winning and a reception at Buckingham Palace, a Queen's Award brings with it genuine business benefits - notably widespread publicity, national and international recognition and enhanced staff pride and morale. Winners are also entitled to use the Queen's Award Emblem as a recognised 'badge of success' throughout their marketing and operations, for a period of five years.

The organisers of the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion are looking for individuals who have actively encouraged and promoted entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others. They are likely to be active in business, education, training or youth work. Up to ten Standard Awards will be made, plus one Lifetime Achievement Award, if a suitable candidate is nominated. People cannot enter themselves for an Award - they must be nominated by others, for example by a colleague or those they have helped.

To enter your business for a Queen's Award or to nominate an individual for a Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, visit www.queensawards.org.uk or call 08705 134486 for business application forms or 020 7222 2277 for nomination forms. The closing date for application and nominations is 31 October 2005.