The Deutsche Bank Middle East Foundation in partnership with Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program announced today the launch of the Deutsche Bank Awards in Lebanon.

This marks the first time that the Deutsche Bank Awards have been offered outside of the UK, where they have been in place since 1993. The Awards offer practical and financial support to artists, craftspeople, designers and performers to start a business or carry out a project.

As a first step, Deutsche Bank will be offering two awards to Lebanese candidates at Euro 10 thousand each. The Foundation is also considering rolling out the Deutsche Bank Awards across the Middle East in the future.

Henry Azzam, Chairman of the Deutsche Bank Middle East Foundation and the Bank’s regional CEO, said “The idea behind the Deutsche Bank Awards is to foster creative enterprises, by not only lending financial support but by also offering business planning guidance and mentoring. We are pleased to have partnered with Bader, an organization with a strong record of support for young entrepreneurs, to launch this initiative.”

Robert Fadel, Bader Young Entrepreneur Program President said “In view of the vibrant creative industry in Lebanon, Bader is pleased to have partnered with Deutsche Bank to showcase local talents. Creativity is a great asset of Lebanon and a wonderful way to promote the “Lebanese savoir-faire”. The Creative Industry can also play an important role in the development of the Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem as it can lead to the creation of Small and Medium Size (SME) companies.”