Dubai, Oct 5 (IANS): The Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) will host its 11th anniversary here on Saturday with a special edition of the ABLF awards, the association announced on Friday.

"The upcoming award night hosts an exclusive 250-strong audience of Asia's leaders and will witness the felicitation of 15 visionary and innovative stalwarts," it said.

"In the inaugural edition of the ABLF in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, the ABLF focused primarily on the celebrated and ancient India-UAE connect that has been foundational in the rise of the legendary friendship between the two nations."

The ABLF, founded in 2007 and associated with the UAE Ministry of Economy, has been held under the royal patronage of UAE Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Zayed.

ABLF Co-Founder Indian national Malini N. Menon said in a statement :"As a member of the Council, I have witnessed the ABLF's transformation as it has become both more inclusive and expansive in its approach, reaching out to over 33 nations of Asia, felicitating leaders from diverse sectors, markets and economies, and accessing larger opportunities for sustainable and innovative collaborations."

Among others slated to be present at the awards event are Indian business leaders like Indian Oil Chairman Sanjiv Singh, Hinduja Group Chairman Ashok Hinduja and Apollo Hospitals Executive Vice President Preetha Reddy, the statement added.