The Malta Businesswoman of the Year Awards have been launched, aimed at recognising and encouraging excellence amongst businesswomen in the country.

The awards are supported by HSBC Bank Malta plc and fall under the patronage of the President of Malta.

The inaugural Malta Businesswoman of the Year Awards will honour the accomplishments of women in two main categories: 1) Businesswoman of the Year, and 2) Young Businesswoman of the Year. A third recognition, Company Award for Excellence, will be presented to a company which demonstrates promotion of women in business.

Applications are invited from businesswomen who with their foresight, creativity, and talent have opened the path for other women in the country to take on the enduring female-entrepreneurial spirit.

Entry to the awards is free and can be made at the dedicated website www.mbwya.com.mt. Applications can be submitted until noon of November 26.

Nominations will be judged by a panel comprised of some of Malta’s leading business personalities. A ceremony to announce the winners to be held at the Verdala Palace in February 2019.

Speaking at the launch event, Andrew Beane, CEO of HSBC Malta, said: “Today 60 per cent of graduates from the University of Malta are female but only 5 per cent of all Board positions in Malta’s listed companies are held by women, the lowest in the EU. I have always believed that diversity of thought is an essential component of business success and these statistics demonstrate that our economy cannot fully prosper and compete internationally over the long term unless the remarkable talent of businesswomen in Malta is truly set free.”