Entries for this year’s Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards are up an impressive 36% on last year, the competition’s judges have confirmed.

Some 125 companies have entered the eight categories in the awards, which are run in association with the Belfast Telegraph and supported by Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland.

The judging panel of industry, bank and agency representatives met last week to assess the entries, with the winners to be announced in a ceremony at Belfast’s Hilton Hotel on Thursday.

The eight Ulster winners will go forward to compete with provincial winners from across the island, with the all-island winners to be announced at a gala event in Dublin in March 2010.

Ian Jordan, Ulster Bank’s head of business centres and one of the judges, said: “We are delighted that local firms are coming out to celebrate their achievements in what is a difficult economic environment for most businesses.

“Despite the climate, companies are working hard to succeed and, where possible, grow. Challenging times can bring out the best in organisations and we have seen significant evidence of this in the entries to these awards.”

The other judges for the competition were Sam McIlveen, the Belfast Telegraph’s digital publisher; Paul Allen, group chief executive of Tayto Group; Liam Nellis from InterTradeIreland; and Donal Durkan of Invest NI.

The awards aim to reward new and established businesses across all industry sectors for their leadership, successes and contribution to the economy.

Prizes will be awarded for categories including international business, social entrepreneurship, emerging technology and business start-up.