Kenyan born Rita Shah who founded Shabra Plastics over twenty years ago, has been voted overall winner of the Permanent TSB Ethnic Entrepreneur of the year awards.
Monaghan-based Shabra Plastics recycles and manufacturers plastic products and is the leading recycler of plastic waste in Ireland.
Ms Shah received her award from President Mary McAleese tonight in an inaugural awards ceremony in the Westin hotel, Dublin.
In addition to winning the overall prize, Ms Shah was selected as the Technology Entrepreneur of the Year.
Chief executive of Permanent TSB Denis Casey said: 'Ms Shah is an excellent example of entrepreneurial spirit among the ethnic community, and is a wonderful role model for all entrepreneurs and also for women in business.'
Other winners included Juan Jimenez of Bella Cuba Restaurant, in Ballsbridge, Dublin who won best service ethnic entrepreneur.
Emerging ethnic entrepreneur was won by Olga and Jimmy Gashi for Word Perfect Translation Services.
Social ethnic entrepreneur was won by Salome Mbugua from AkiDwA (a non governmental network for African women living in Ireland).
The best business idea of the year went to Aiyshas Spice House owner and director Hafeez Rehman.
The awards programme coordinator and Editor of Metro Eireann Chinedu Onyejelem said the awards are strong evidence of the type of contribution immigrants in Ireland are making.
