The Jamaica Observer Business Leader Awards programme commenced 1996, and it has evolved rapidly into Jamaica's/Caribbean's most prestigious and coveted business award.

Over 100 entrepreneurs have been nominated since the beginning of the programme. The Jamaica Observer newspaper will break new ground this year with our annual Business Leader programme - the award presentation to be staged on Sunday, December 2nd, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The 2012 award is being held in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence; and will seek answer to one central question: of all the companies that have been in operation since or before 1962, which has had the singularly most profound economic impact on our country?

In a departure from the programme’s 15-year tradition, COMPANIES, rather than INDIVIDUALS will be considered for nomination: firms that have survived 50 years since Independence and which continue to be major contributors to the national economy.