18 March 2006
Awards held under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

March 18, 2006

Business Software Alliance (BSA), the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, and the UAE Web Awards Committee, honored the winners of the inaugural UAE Web Awards at a grand ceremony held at the Morouj Rotana Hotel in Dubai.

Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman of BSA Middle East, presented the awards to the winners, in the presence of dignitaries and senior government officials. The Mercedes Benz Middle East website won the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award, the highest honor at the UAE Web Awards.

The UAE Web Awards is a first-of-its-kind award dedicated to honor talented web developers and designers in the UAE and to safeguard the integrity of their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, the awards were organized jointly by BSA and UAE Web Awards Committee, in cooperation with The Lebanese Canadian bank, Microsoft Corporation and with the support of Dubai Internet City.

The winners of the award have all qualified for the Pan Arab Web Awards 2006 to be held during April in Jordan, and will represent UAE at the event. The Pan Arab Web Awards 2006, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which will host the winners from the various Arab countries in each of the categories.

"The UAE Web Awards were initiated with the objective of providing an avenue for creative expression for web developers and web designers in the UAE. In the technology-driven world of today, it is important that outstanding talents in web development and design are duly recognized, so it would inspire them to strive for greater levels of excellence," said Pierre Moukarzel, Chairman, Pan Arab Web Awards Committee. "Besides being a source of motivation to upcoming designers and developers, such competitions serve to popularize technology and contribute towards the evolution of a digital society."

"An important aspect of this award is that the winners will have an opportunity to showcase their creativity to a wider audience, as they will be participating at the prestigious Pan Arab Web Awards 2006. If their performance at the UAE Web Awards is any indication, the national winners are sure to put on a creditable show at the Pan Arab Awards," Moukarzel added.

Entries for the competition, which was open to all companies, web designers and developers across the country, were received from early October to November 31, 2005. The winners were announced following a comprehensive evaluation of the entries by a panel comprising a host of experts in web development and web design.

The Awards comprised of various categories such as, Best Bank and Financial Institution Website, Best Corporate Website, Best Art and Design, Best Cultural and Education Website, Best Government Organisation Website, Best Media and Press Website, Best Non-Governmental Organisation Website, Best Personal Website, Best Real Estate Website, Best Consulate Website, Best Media and Advertising Website, Best Student Website, Best Travel, Tourism and Transportation Website, Best Strategy Website and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award (Web of the Year).

-Ends- 

Editor's Note:
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace BSA helps governments and consumers understand how software strengthens the economy, worker productivity and global development and how its further expansion hinges on the successful fight against software piracy and Internet theft. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.

BSA members include: 4D, Adobe, Agfa-Monotype, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, BVRP Software, Centennial, Cisco Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Grupo SP, Entrust, HiT Internet Technologies, HP, IBM, iInventory, Intel, Intergraph, Internet Security Systems, Intuit, LMS International, Macromedia, Magix, Mamut, McAfee, Microsoft, Microstar, Nemetschek, O&O Software, OWG, Panda Software, Realviz, RSA Security, SIA, SolidWorks, Staff & Line, Sybase, Symantec, TeamSystem, Trend Micro, UGS PLM Solutions, VERITAS Software, Visma, WRQ.  

BSA Anti-Piracy Hotlines
Kuwait Hotline: 2438033
UAE Hotline: 800 4828
Other countries: (9714) 332 2307

Or contact:
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Email: info@orientplanet.com
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The List of Winners Here below:

UAE Web Awards 2005
Dubai, 16 March 2006

List of Winners 

No.

Category

Award

URRL

1.

Art and Design

Golden

www.fashion.pink-sushi.com

2.

 

Silver

www.arabianeye.com

3.

Banks and Financial Institutions

Golden

www.dib.ae

4.

 

Silver

www.wafapoints.com

5.

Corporate

Golden

www.emaar.com

6.

 

Silver

www.mmidubai.com

7.

 

Bronze

www.imgaladari.com

8.

Culture and

education

Golden

www.zu.ac.ae

9.

 

Silver

www.hallodubai.com

10.

 

Bronze

www.uaeu.ac.ae

11.

Entertainment

Golden

www.grandcinemas.com

12.

 

Silver

www.walkman-mea.com

13.

 

Bronze

www.dubaifilmfest.com

14.

Governmental Organizations

Golden

www.dafza.gov.ae

15.

 

Silver

www.endp.ae

16.

 

Bronze

www.hmaward.org.ae

17.

Media and Press

Golden

www.7days.ae

18.

 

Silver

www.ameinfo.com

19.

 

Bronze

www.aitnews.com

20.

Non-Government

al Organizations

Golden

www.forsightrp.com

21.

Silver

www.makepovertyhistory.ae

22.

Bronze

www.nofakeparts.com

23.

Personal

Golden

www.fadiandjo.com

24.

 

Silver

www.undiff.com

25.

 

Bronze

www.samsoomah.com

26.

Real Estate

Golden

www.burjdubai.com

27.

 

Silver

www.oceanviewdubai.com

28.

 

Bronze

www.propertyworldme.com

29.

Students (web13)

Golden

www.zu-cisauh.ae

30.

Students (web 06)

Silver

www.zu-cisauh.ae

31.

Students (web 08)

Bronze

www.zu-cisauh.ae

32.

Travel, Tourism & Transportation

Golden

www.mb-me.com/bclass

33.

 

Silver

www.mmitravel.com

34.

Bronze

www.ifa-direct.com

35.

Special Award for the best strategy website

www.endp.ae

36.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rachid Al Maktoum Award

Web of the Year

www.mb-me.com/bclass

© Press Release 2006