Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2012:

Entries close on November

The regional recognition program for outstanding entrepreneurs across Asia, the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards has selected Internationally acclaimed KPMG Ford, Rhodes, Thornton & Co. as Audit Partner and ARTV TV the CNN Broadcaster in Sri Lanka, as the English TV Partner.

The Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards, is a platform for Asian business leaders and entrepreneurs to network, share information and form lifetime acquaintances and alliances, is scheduled to be held for the first time in Sri Lanka, in February 2012.

There are 14 ASEAN nations in this program - Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Macau, Cambodia and India. Sri Lanka joins this elite group from 2012. Enterprise

Asia, a Non-Governmental Organisation for entrepreneurship, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in Association with Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council (SLMBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will

organise this event in Sri Lanka. NDB Bank is the principal sponsor for the event to be held at Hilton Colombo, the host hotel. The Media Partners are ITN, ART TV, Daily News and Sunday Observer.

The Sri Lanka event is open, to Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs, Sri Lankan Public companies; Sri Lanka based Foreign Direct Investment companies, Government Corporations, and Private Enterprises. The Award Categories are;

Outstanding Entrepreneurship 12 Awards

Awarded to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated entrepreneurial attributes that serve as role model for emerging entrepreneurs, including the tenacity and perseverance to continue innovating. Nominees for this category must be the Chairman, Managing Director or the CEO in continued leadership of a registered business for no less than three years, with a turnover of no less than SLRs 5 Billion in the past one year. Ideally for Public quoted companies and FDI companies.

Most Promising Entrepreneurship 12 Awards

Awarded to entrepreneurs that have displayed promising accomplishments in the past and present and have the vision and potential to advance their companies to be leading businesses in the near future. Nominees must be Chairman, Managing Director or

the CEO or COO in continued leadership of a registered business for no less than 1 year, with a turnover of no less than SLRS 100 Million in the past one year.

Emerging Entrepreneurship 12 Awards

Awarded to emerging entrepreneurs possessing the skills, talent and determination as well as showing much promise of making it big in their respective industries. Nominees must be the proprietor, Chairman, Managing Director, CEO or COO, in continued leadership of a registered business for no less than three years, with a turnover of no less than SLRs. Rs 50 Million in the past one year. Ideal for SMEs.

In addition the following awards will be given from among the winners.

Young Entrepreneur of the year 2012,

o From the nominees of Most Promising Entrepreneurship Award category, an entrepreneur who is 40 years old.

Woman Entrepreneur of the year 2012,

o From the nominees of Most Promising Entrepreneurship Award category a woman entrepreneur who has shown exceptional performance in the communication of their visions, brands, and strategies and sets a remarkable standard within the industry will receive this award.

Entrepreneur of the year 2012,

From the nominees From Most Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award category an entrepreneur who has shown exceptional performance in the communication of their visions, brands, and strategies and sets a remarkable standard within the industry

will receive this all important award.

Lifetime Achievement Award

o This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, and contributed to the society for a sustained period of time. His/her contribution deserves to be honoured and remembered by generations to come.

Nominations close on November 1, 2011. An International Panel of Judges will select the winners based on a regional company evaluation bench mark and short list on a computer generated marking scheme. A Technical Team from Enterprise Asia in Malaysia will then visit the short listed Nominees at their offices and factories for a final evaluation.

The Awards Program is unique. As, Asia Pacific's most prestigious award for entrepreneurs, it is a regional benchmark. It honours enterprising men and women from each country who have proven their enterprising spirit, whilst not neglecting

the social responsibilities that come with business leadership. Entry Coupons are published in the Daily News, Dinamina and Thinakaran newspapers. Entries close on November 1, 2011.