- Annual event receives unprecedented number of registrants and expands reach to Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen and Saudi
The Pan Arab Web Awards, in association with Microsoft, MSN Mena and Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, has recently concluded its fourth edition at the Burj Al Arab Al Falak Ballroom in Dubai, honouring over 125 websites and interactive agencies from several categories. The 4
th Pan Arab Web Awards has been established as a premiere platform to recognise excellence in web design, development skills and creativity in the Pan Arab Region.
“The fourth Pan Arab Web Awards competition was presented by the Web Awards Academy registered in January 2008. Web Awards Academy is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and interactive media,” said Pierre Moukarzel, President of the Web Awards Program in the Arab region.
Moukarzel emphasised that it has been the Web Awards’ mission to promote excellence in web development across the Arab World. He also said that the 2008 edition has received an unprecedented number of registrants and has expanded its reach across the region. "We had before representatives in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Oman, UAE and Qatar. We expanded to welcome new representatives in Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen and Saudi Arabia," said Moukarzel.
Pooya Darugar, Head of Web Platform, Microsoft Gulf said: "We at Microsoft are very pleased to continue our association with the Pan Arab Web Awards. This is the fourth Pan Arab Web Awards we have participated in and we look forward to a continuing collaboration. Microsoft tools and technologies are the leader in the web development space both globally and here in the region. With the privilege of being in a leadership position on web standards and development, we feel that we should put as much effort as possible in making the web a better place."
Darugar added: "We want to ensure that the local talent in this region is promoted and their work is recognised for raising the standards of websites, which is also why we participate in these awards."
Leading this year’s honourees is dsc.etacareers.com, which received the Diamond Award, while the Web Company of the Year award went to Beirut-based Koein. Other key awards handed out were Microsoft Award for the Best Website Built on Microsoft (
www.cbq.com.qa), Best Arabic Website in the Arab Region (
www.as7ab.maktoob.com), Award of Honour (
www.president-saleh.info), Best Web Technology Award (
www.yamli.com), Best Strategic Social Network Portal (
www.dipark.com), Best Strategic Oil and Gas Portal (
www.enolubricants.com), Best Strategic Media and Press Portal (
www.alriyadh.com), Best Strategic ICT Portal (
www.nawras.om), Best Strategic Government Portal (
www.cma.org.sa/cma_en/default.aspx), Best Strategic Entertainment Portal (
www.pepsiseaofstars.com) and Best Strategic Education Portal (www.kaust.edu.sa).
The rest of the categories and winners included Travel and Tourism (
www.utravelme.com), Transportation (
www.walt.etacareers.com), Services (
www.dubaiseeker.com), Real Estate (
www.abdali.jo), Retails (
www.turtlesoman.com), Oil and Gas (
www.enjm.com), Non-governmental organisations (
www.brandprotectiongroup.org), Media and Press (
www.masrawy.com), Industrial (
www.kit-wood.com and
www.kaddb.com), International Organisation (
www.ccef-liban.com), ICT (
www.mobinil.com/default.aspx), Hotels (
www.themonarchdubai.com), Health Safety and Environment (
www.arkan.ae), Governmental Organisations (
www.hadhramaut.info), Health Services (
www.rakhospital.com), Food and Beverage (
www.bluefig.com).
Financial Institutions and Insurance (
www.argaam.com and
www.algebra-capital.com), Education (
www.aust.edu.lb), E-commerce (
www.otlob.com), Directories and Info Services (
www.expofolio.com), Corporate (
www.inkript.com), Bank Corporate (
www.cbq.com.qa), Automotive (
www.infinitioman.com), Airlines (
www.etihadairways.com), Advertising Production (
www.spadescasting.com), Art & Design (
www.reflections-jo.com), Culture (
www.rewayty.com and cmj.cmj.jo), Entertainment (
www.mazika.com/ar/default.aspx), Fashion and Art (
www.josepheid.com), Forums (
www.gulfinjordan.paravisionglobal.com),
Personal (
www.charleschlela.com), Social Network (
www.as7ab.maktoob.com), Sports (dsc.etacareer.com), and V.I.P. (www.rafikhariri.com).
"The original team behind the Pan Arab Web Awards still guides the awards today. Each year brings new challenges and growth. The 4
th Annual PAWA event gathers high quality judges, and great marketing and strategic partners like MSN Arabia, Lebanese Canadian Bank, Gowealthy and Orient Planet," said Moukarzel.
