The shortlist has been announced for the ninth Asian Women of Achievement Awards and has been deemed the best yet' by the Awards' sponsors Lloyds TSB.
A total of 44 Asian women have been short-listed for this year's prestigious awards and the judging is now underway.
The winners will be announced at a star-studded ceremony at London's Park Lane Hilton on 20 May.
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Asian women in line for the coveted awards range from entrepreneur Hasfa Abubacker, who has generated a turnover of £8.5m in just four years for Pitchwell, a company she started in the spare room of her flat, through to Iran-born Mehri Niknam MBE, who has worked tirelessly on Muslim-Jewish relations for the past two decades, most recently as founder and executive of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation.
Other candidates include choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh, actress Nina Wadia, journalist and broadcaster Navdip Dhariwal, and Kiss Radio's DJ Neev.
Co-founded by Pinky Lilani OBE and organised by Real Business magazine, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards is an inspirational event now in its ninth year.
The awards recognise all levels of achievement made by Asian women in the UK - whether professional or personal - within the commercial, professional, artistic and humanitarian sectors.
Kamel Hothi, Asian Markets Director, Corporate Markets, Lloyds TSB said: "For the past 50 years Asian men have been making a huge contribution to the UK economy and to see Asian women now following in the footsteps of their fathers and brothers with the same passion, commitment and determination to succeed is really inspirational."
The awards organisers at Real Business magazine can't say anything yet about who will be attending on the night, but it looks set to follow the glamour of previous years, which have included HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Elizabeth Hurley and the awards' Patron Cherie Booth QC.
Mike Bokaie, Chief Executive of Real Business magazine, said: "The shortlist this year is incredibly impressive. From entrepreneurs who are making millions right through to women campaigning for a better world, we have 44 Asian women to thank for the significant contribution they make in all walks of life."
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