The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, given on an annual basis since 2006 to five laureates, from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America will launch a new Award category for the Middle East and North Africa. The countries in this region were previously spread across Africa and Asia.

“I believe that by creating an Award specifically for the Middle East and North Africa, we will enable women entrepreneurs from these countries to truly stand out, as I am convinced they should”, says Bernard Fornas, President and CEO of Cartier.

The Award categories in 2011 will be: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, North America and Sub-Saharan Africa. The selection process remains unchanged. Eighteen finalists representing the best projects worldwide will be selected in the first phase of the contest. They will receive coaching and media exposure and will be invited to France for the Finale week which includes a presentation in front of the international Jury, entrepreneurship workshops and the Global Meeting of the Women’s Forum.

The six Laureates nominated for the Award receive an additional year of coaching and US$ 20 000 in funding.