The European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC (www.businessawardseurope.com) has announced that Island Hotels Group Holdings plc is to represent Malta in the prestigious 2010 Awards programme.

Island Hotels Group Holdings plc beat off stiff competition to be selected as one of 15 country representatives and will now go on to compete for a coveted Ruban d'Honour in the next round of the competition.

Island Hotels Group, the only hospitality company among the nominated organisations, is Malta's newest plc having been listed on the Malta Stock Exchange last September.

Winston J. Zahra, group CEO at Island Hotels Group Holdings, said: "It is an honour for IHGH to be nominated to represent Malta at the European Business Awards.

"It is a mark of distinction which we are proud to bear and a tribute to the constant hard work and efforts of the entire team.

"We endeavour to deliver xcellence with genuine passion, ensuring that the focus on our values remains at the heart of what we do and how we operate. We look forward to the next round of the competition."

Now in its fourth successful year, the European Business Awards has identified some of Europe's brightest businesses based on their ability to demonstrate the three core principles at the heart of the awards programme.

The esteemed panel of judges were looking for organisations in Malta that exhibited innovation, business excellence and sustainability.

The European Business Awards is dedicated to raising the visibility and progress of companies who excel in delivering innovation twinned with successful commercial results while acting responsibly and positively affecting the social environment they operate in.

In 2009, the 99 Ruban d'Honneur recipients had a combined turnover greater than €570 billion and recorded an average annual profit growth of 56 per cent.