A new Caribbean-based initiative, the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, was launched in Jamaica on Friday with a promise to recognise significant Caribbean achievement and to encourage and support the pursuit of excellence by Caribbean people, according to the programme director, Trinidadian Francis Lewis.

Founded by Trinidad & Tobago millionaire businessman, Anthony N Sabga, recipients of the award, which will be conferred every two years, will receive US$80,000, a gold medal and citation to recognise their achievements. Less tangible but no less real, said Francis, is the opportunity for visibility across the Caribbean and beyond.

The first awards will be made in September of this year and selection process is currently underway, Francis told the gathering.

“In time we believe this will become the region’s leading recognition programme. It is the first regional, non-governmental recognition programme of its type,” he said at the Kingston Hilton Hotel launch.

Candidates from all the countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will be considered for selection.

Awards will be conferred in three categories:

. Arts and Letters. Individuals who work in the visual arts, the performing arts, composers, writers and poets and those who work to make it possible for art to be created, for example, directors and producers.

. Science and Technology. This category includes individuals who do research and experimental scientific work in the natural, physical, earth life, and bio-sciences.

. Public and Civic Contributions. Individuals who work to improve their communities and the lives of Caribbean people.

Candidates for selection must demonstrate a track record of consistent superior work in their field, the capacity for significant future achievement and their work must have a positive impact in the Caribbean region, Francis explained.

Nominees from each country are chosen by a local committee of professionals and the names submitted to a regional selection panel that includes chairman Sir Ellis Clarke, Trinidad and Tobago’s first president and last governor-general; Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Commonwealth secretary-general; Michael Mansoor chairman of FirstCaribbean International Bank; and Jamaican lawyer and former senator, Christopher Bovell.