LONDON, January 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- Call for Applications 2008

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is a unique and international business plan competition for female entrepreneurs with creative, sustainable and socially responsible businesses in the initial phase.

Created in 2006 by Cartier and the Women's Forum with the support of McKinsey and INSEAD management school, it offers the chance to win personalised coaching support for a full year, a US$20 000 grant, numerous networking and visibility opportunities.

Log on to http://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com to find out more or contact the Cartier UK Press Office, Sarah Carlsen, on +44-(0)20-7408-5740 or sarah.carlsen@cartier.com

About the Partnership

The Women's Forum for the Economy and Society

Created by Aude Zieseniss de Thuin in 2005, the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society is an independent and non-partisan platform for dialogue. An annual landmark event, it aims at promoting women's perspectives on major issues today.

http://www.womens-forum.com

Cartier

Cartier is one of the world's most esteemed luxury brands, designing and manufacturing exclusive collections of fine jewellery, wristwatches, leather goods, fragrances, pens, eyewear and scarves through almost 250 Cartier boutiques.

http://www.cartier.com

McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company is a management consulting firm that, for more than 75 years, has been helping its clients achieve distinctive, substantial, and lasting improvements in their performance. Its clients include more than half of the world's top 200 companies.

http://www.mckinsey.com

INSEAD

As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas from around the world to change lives and transform organizations. The unique global perspective and multicultural diversity of INSEAD are reflected in all aspects of its research and teaching.

http://www.insead.edu

Cartier UK Press Office, Sarah Carlsen, on +44-(0)20-7408-5740 or sarah.carlsen@cartier.com