Island Hotel Group Holdings plc and Midi plc are among the 100 recipients of the prestigious Ruban d’Honneur of the 2010 European Business Awards, sponsored by HSBC.

The leading organisations have survived intensive and rigorous judging to make it onto the finalists list, and now have a chance to be crowned as an overall category winner in the Awards, a statement on behalf of the two companies said.

Adrian Tripp, chief executive of the European Business Awards, said: “Our awards recognise excellence and innovation in European business and this year’s entries have been better than ever and our judges have had a difficult time deciding on the companies that are worthy of a Ruban d’Honneur. What is reassuring is that we have seen businesses go from strength to strength and thrive even during tough trading conditions. My congratulations to our winners and good luck in the finals.”

Island Hotels Group Holdings plc has been selected as one of the 10 Ruban d’Honneur recipients for The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award in The 2010 European Business Awards, while Midi plc have been shortlisted for the Infosys Business of the Year Award.

Alan Richards HSBC’s chief executive said: “Our congratulations go to the Maltese Ruban d’Honneur recipients. It is heartening to see Maltese companies competing with some of Europe’s best-in-class businesses. I wish Island Hotels and Midi well in the next round of judging and look forward to the Awards final.”

All the Ruban d’Honneur recipients must now prepare to appear before a second judging panel of highly regarded academics, heads of state, industrialists, entrepreneurs and media commentators drawn from across Europe.

Interviews will take place in London in September and the overall winners in each of the categories will be announced at the Awards ceremony in Paris on November 16, in front of Europe’s top business leaders, politicians and media.