five finalists from the uae chosen amongst the middle east region’s elite entrepreneuers
Abu Dhabi’s Dani Safi, CEO of Tabreed and BR Shetty, Managing Director of UAE Exchange Centre LLC, together with Dubai’s Arif Naqvi, EVC & CEO of Abraaj Capital, Omar Ayesh, President of Tameer Holding Investments, and Sunny Varkey, Chairman & Founder of the Varkey Group have been announced by Ernst & Young as finalists in the Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2007.
The Entrepreneur of the Year awards programme recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs on a regional and global level who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. The five finalists from the UAE were selected from a large number of nominated leading entrepreneurs from ten countries across the Middle East region and now join a total of 20 finalists to participate in the Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year celebratory weekend scheduled to be held in Dubai from 21 - 23 February 2008.
During the three day event the finalists will have the opportunity to present their entrepreneur success story to a panel of independent distinguished judges. Awards will be given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as financial performance; entrepreneurial sprit; strategic direction; national or global impact; innovation and; personal integrity/influence.
All of the entrepreneurs will receive awards which celebrate their success at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on the evening of 23 February 2008 also at which an overall nominated leading entrepreneur will be announced to represent the Middle East finalists at the World Entrepreneur of the Year award ceremony to be held in Monte Carlo in May 2008.
Reacting to the news of being selected as a finalist from such a high quality field of applicants,
Mr. Safi said “It is an honour to be selected and I will take this as a challenge to be more determined in continuing to succeed and excel in the future”.
Dr BR Shetty further commented by saying “It is an extreme honor for me and an inspiration to reach greater heights of excellence. It’s a motivating factor for everybody who desires to realize their dreams in life. More importantly, it sends a message to young entrepreneurs about how loyalty, discipline, integrity and hard work are the key ingredients for success.”
Mr. Naqvi stated “Ernst and Young has chosen to celebrate success, and by short-listing not one, but 20 individuals, any of whom can go on to win the global award shows clearly that the Middle East region is coming of age and that globally celebrated businesses have been born in our region. It is an initiative that we must all support, and coming from a firm of their stature, it is an award to be cherished."
Mr. Ayesh said “I am very privileged to be amongst the finalists for this distinguished award. E&Y has a brilliant reputation and being associated with an award that is managed by this company is an honor and most definitely an added value to Tameer and not only to myself.”
Mr. Varkey stated “I am humbled and deeply honored by the recognition that this prestigious award brings. It is an inspiration to achieve even more.”
Other finalists announced to the regional press today are:
- Atif Abdulmalik, CEO , Arcapita Bank BSC, Bahrain
- Esam Janahi, Chairman, Gulf Finance House, Bahrain
- Saud Kanoo, Partner, Amwaj Islands, Bahrain
- Ayedh Bin Farhan, MD, Al Oula Real Estate Development Co., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Sobhi Batterjee, President & CEO, Saudi German Hospitals Group, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Samih Darwazah, Chairman, Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc, Jordan
- Fadi Ghandour , CEO , Aramex PJSC, Jordan
- Faisal Al Ayyar, Managing Director & CEO, Kuwait Projects Company Holding, Kuwait
- Abdulfatah Marafie, Chairman & Managing Director, The Commercial Real Estate Co, Kuwait
- Mohammed Al Alloush, Chairman & Managing Director, First Investment Co KSC, Kuwait
- Marzooq Al Rashdan, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Abyaar real Estate Development Co, Kuwait
- Samir Fancy, Chairman, Renaissance Services SAOG, Oman
- Maqbool Al Saleh, Chairman, Oman Holdings International (OHI) SAOG, Oman
- Wasim Daher, CEO , Azadea Group Holding SAL, Lebanon
- Abdulaziz Al Hoshan, Chairman, Vodatel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year programme was only launched in the Middle East region this year, although the programme has been running successfully in over 40 countries for over 20 years. The World Entrepreneur of the Year event is scheduled to be held in Monte Carlo in May 2008 and will involve over 50 other national Entrepreneurs from around the globe. One representative will be chosen from the impressive list of finalists to represent the Middle East at the 2008 World Entrepreneur of the Year event.
Ernst & Young is also proud to announce Lloyds TSB, International Private Banking as this year's sponsor of the programme. Lloyds TSB highlighted that the fast pace growth in the region is testament to the hard work and ambition of so many individuals, especially the thousands of entrepreneurs who are building their own successful businesses. The Middle East is one of the key regions for Lloyds TSB across the globe and as its growth story continues, the company will be doing everything to encourage innovation, commitment and contribution.
