KARACHI - Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and Citi Foundation announced the launch of 7th Citi-PPAF Micro entrepreneurship Awards (CMA) 2010 programme at a local hotel here on Tuesday. Chief Strategy Officer PPAF Ahmad Jamal, Citi Consumer Banking Head, Aliuuddin Ahmed, Citi Director Customer Experience Huma Gilani, Chief Operating Officer PPAF Kamran Akbar and others were present on this occasion. Specific goals of CMA programme are to raise awareness about micro finance, particularly among micro-entrepreneurs who could benefit from it, to recognise and celebrate the contributions that micro-entrepreneurs bring to the world economy and to highlight best practices in micro-entrepreneurship. The awards also aim at raising awareness and support for micro-entrepreneurs by highlighting their talents and accomplishments among the investment and donor community throughout the world. These awards are also meant to create the next generation of micro finance networks, build more inclusive financial sectors and lay foundation for a flourishing micro finance industry. The CMA programme is held annually to recognise and reward leadership, entrepreneurial skills and best practices of individual micro-entrepreneurs at national, provincial and regional level. This programme aims at creating awareness regarding the effectiveness of micro finance as a tool in fight against the poverty besides encouraging the award winning micro-entrepreneurs. Awards in cash and kind would be presented in the categories of Best National Micro-entrepreneur Male, 'Best National Micro entrepreneur Female and four Best Provincial Micro entrepreneurs, with one runner-up for each category. Special recognition awards will be also given to the respective Loan Officers and representatives of Micro finance Institutions at an elaborate event. A national advisory council comprising well-placed professionals from civil society, donor agencies, intellectuals and academicians has been formed to oversee the programme and to interview short-listed candidates.