Cathay Pacific is inviting entries to its dedicated website at www.cathaypacificawards.com with the closing date on 30th November 2008 and this year entries will be accepted within the following categories:

•The Continued Commitment Award: This award recognises outstanding and continued commitment to Hong Kong and China, through past efforts or future projects, by an established UK based company.        

•The Rising Stars Award: This award rewards business dynamism and success of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Hong Kong and China. Companies will be measured by financial results, company growth or improved market share.

•The New Horizons Award: For the first time in 2008, this new award recognises a single project or initiative that displays compelling evidence of dedication to China and/or Hong Kong. This could include business innovation, research projects, or examples of environmental or corporate social responsibility activity. Entries are welcome from any company or not-for-profit organisation.

The winners will be announced at a reception in January 2009. As part of their prize, two employees from each winning company will be invited to be the guests of Cathay Pacific Airways on a one week trip to Hong Kong and China in early 2009.

The trip will include a private business master class at the Centre for Overseas Academic and Cultural Exchanges at the renowned Tsinghua University in Beijing. This two-day session is designed to develop and enhance winners' local market knowledge and will provide invaluable insights into Hong Kong and China's commercial environment from local experts and business leaders.

The scheme has benefited from the support of a strong Judging Panel and endorsed by an Advisory Board*, who will be looking for companies that demonstrate both positive financial results and a long term investment commitment to the region. The 2008 judging panel includes:

•Philippe de Gentile-Williams, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific, •John Willman, UK Business Editor, Financial Times, •Professor Christine Ennew, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Internationalisation, •University of Nottingham, 2007 Winner of Honorary Award, •Stuart Nivison, Head of Trade and Supply Chain, HSBC and •Sarah Wu, Director General, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office

Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific said: "As a Hong Kong airline, Cathay Pacific is dedicated to furthering the economic development of China and Hong Kong and we commit ourselves to supporting and promoting closer working relationships between UK industry, Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Cathay Pacific Business Awards provide a great opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding dynamism and success we are seeing from British companies that continue to invest in this increasingly prosperous region."

Previous winners of the Cathay Pacific Business Awards have included Prudential, University of Nottingham, home textile company Caldeira, AstraZeneca, B&Q China, Sagentia, Rolls Royce, Arup and contemporary London based architectural firm Benoy.