Entries are now open for the first edition of Arabian Business Industry Awards 2026, providing an important platform for recognising corporate excellence and regional leadership in the Middle East.
With the introduction of these awards, there is an effort to assess business organisations’ performance during a critical time for the economy of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other regional markets. Businesses active in the region have the opportunity to nominate themselves in one of 28 categories before the deadline of September 25.
It should be noted that the nomination process will place emphasis on concrete accomplishments rather than unproven claims made by the organization. The judging panel made up of individuals representing economic policy, academia, media, and business management will judge the nominees through commercial growth, market expansion, effect on customers, investments in the region, and innovations within the past 12 months.
The framework divides recognition into three main sections: Sector Excellence, Business Excellence, and the Grand Prix. The Sector Excellence division honors core industries driving regional diversification, including real estate, financial services, energy, technology, healthcare, aviation, retail, and logistics. The Business Excellence segment recognizes strategic corporate milestones such as international expansion, workplace environment, corporate sustainability projects, and public offerings. The Grand Prix section targets high-impact enterprises across three scales: Startup of the Year, SME of the Year, and Large Enterprise of the Year.
To complete an entry, organizations must submit a concise operational overview along with supporting documentation—such as financial statements, client testimonials, performance metrics, or case studies—verifying their contributions to the region’s long-term competitiveness.
Following the submission window, organizers will announce a ten-firm shortlist for each category on October 6. The judging committee will then evaluate the finalists to select one winner and one highly commended recipient per field. The selection process will culminate in a gala ceremony held in the United Arab Emirates this November, where the final winners will be revealed.
