New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS): Top corporate leaders and policy-makers from India, South-East Asia and the Gulf region will gather for a gala event here Oct 3 to celebrate the rise of Asia and honour 13 key people for their contributions to the spirit of enterprise.

A main attraction at the black-tie event will be the first Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) Awards to be conferred on 13 leading personalities from India, South-East Asia and the Gulf in three key business sectors: Infrastructure, Energy and Power.

"Another special focus will be on women who command respect and admiration globally for their effective role in the global business space. One outstanding woman from India, the Gulf and Asia will be honoured under this category," the organisers said in a statement.

The awards have been instituted by Indian Expressions, a Dubai-based company that seeks to connect the Gulf region with India and the larger South-East Asian region, and bring closer their respective business communities, top policy-makers and civil society.

The other categories include "ABLF Lifetime Achievement" award and "ABLF Global Asian of the Year" award, "ABLF Business Courage Award" and the 'ABLF Business Excellence Award", the organisers said.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal and women leaders in business and politics will host the "Woman of Power Award" category. Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath had launched the web site to accept nominations for this category.

"The women of Asia have excelled in every arena and are key players in Asia's growth and development," Sibal, who also holds the human resource development portfolio, said in a statement.

"It is time that these exemplary women, who have broken the glass ceiling and re-written business history across Asia and claim their place of pride in global business world, be felicitated at an international event of significance," he added.

According to Ms. Malini N. Menon, founder and managing director of Indian Expressions, the owners and creators of the ABLF Awards platform, the gala has been planned as a showcase of excellence in the corporate arena.

"This will be an annual gala. The inaugural event promises to set in motion an Asian juggernaut of business, to celebrate the Asian significance on the world's corporate landscape in three key areas -- Industry, Infrastructure and Energy," she said.

"We also chose these three sectors since they are the key drivers of an economy with a definitive cascading effect on other sectors. Another facet, with its own dedicated platform, is the recognition of the contributions of Asia's women business leaders."