Veuve Clicquot's international president Cecile Bonnefond announces that Hong Kong is the first Asian country to host the company's Businesswoman of the Year Award

Hong Kong was chosen as the first Asian location to host the Businesswoman of the Year Award by French champagne company Veuve Clicquot.

International president Cecile Bonnefond said Hong Kong was selected as "it is a vibrant, dynamic market and a powerful economic centre in Asia."

"Hong Kong is the door to Asia; it sets the pace in terms of trends, culture and consumerism. It's where you have to be if you want to be a success. But most of all there are many high achieving women in this city who set an exemplary pattern to the world with their dynamism, hard work and initiative," added Ms Bonnefond who is the first woman president of the company since the death of its owner Nicole Ponsardin better known as Madame Clicquot.  

Nicole Ponsardin inherited the company in 1803 from her husband who died when she was 27 and through sheer guts and determination built up the brand name in an era when "it was rare for women to be active outside of household responsibilities," said Ms Bonnefond.

"It is because of this legacy that we in Veuve Clicquot hold in high regard those successful achieving businesswomen who share her entrepreneurial spirit, passion and vision and we want to recognise and encourage them around the world," added Ms Bonnefond.

Nominations are being sought from the Hong Kong private, commercial and public sectors and a panel of judges will pick the winner in March. The Hong Kong winner will join an elite list of businesswomen including former Veuve Clicquot winners like Anita Roddick of UK-based The Body Shop International, Evelyne Prouvost of Marie Claire, France, and Marjorie Scardino of UK's Pearson Plc (publisher of  The Financial Times).

Veuve Clicquot has had a presence in Hong Kong for more than 100 years and the SAR serves as its regional headquarters.