For the first time in Qatar, Ernst and Young's World Entrepreneur of The Year Award in partnership with Enterprise Qatar.

Doha 6 June 2012

Ashraf Abu Issa, winner of the Ernst & Young Qatar Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, is gearing up to compete in the 12th Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Abu Issa will be among over 50 country winners competing for the world title. The winner will be announced at the gala on the evening of Saturday 9 June. Ms. Noora Al-Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Qatar and Mr. Firas Qoussous, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Qatar, together with other company representatives, will accompany Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa and his guests to Monte Carlo between June 6th and 10th.

Abu Issa was recently named winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2011 Awards, which were held in Qatar for the very first time in collaboration with Enterprise Qatar, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Jassim Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade. Abu Issa won the prominent award for establishing Abu Issa Holding, one of Qatar's key retail empires and being a unique exemplar for business in his industry.

Ms. Noora Al-Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Qatar said: " EQ plays a major role in supporting entrepreneurs looking to transform their promising ideas to real projects, we work hard to create a sustainable environment and solid ground for SMEs in Qatar which will allow local entrepreneurs to become the ambassadors of Qatar regionally and globally".

"We are very excited and happy to see Ashraf Abu Issa raising our country's flag at such an esteemed and world-class business gathering. Ashraf's business endeavours are highly acclaimed and are truly a matter of pride for all Qataris." Added Ms Al- Mannai Mr. Firas Qoussous, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Qatar said: "It is with great anticipation that we await the awards in the coming week where Ashraf Abu Issa will represent Qatar for the first time at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monaco. The confluence of talent and entrepreneurial spirit at the event allows the country winners to meet entrepreneurs from across the world and to build relationships and share experiences. We are very proud of Ashraf's achievements and we wish him the best of luck at the awards."

Previous winners of the prestigious award include: Olivia Lum, Group CEO and President, Hyflux Limited (Singapore), Guy Laliberté, Founder and CEO, Cirque du Soleil (Canada), Narayana Murthy, Founder and Chairman of Infosys Technologies Limited (India) and Cho Tak Wong, Chairman, Fuyao Glass Industry Group (China).

The winner of the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award is chosen by an independent judging panel made up of a distinguished group of former Entrepreneur Of The Year winners. The panel gives the country winners an equal opportunity to win the award by judging them on six criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, innovation, global impact and personal integrity/influence.

The independent judging panel will be chaired by Ruben Vardanian, President, Troika Dialog, of Russia. Joining him will be:

Haryanto Adikoesoeme of PT AKR Corporindo Tbk (Indonesia)
Kunio Namekata of TMI Associates (Japan)
Lui Jiren of Neusoft Corporation (China)
Michael Spencer of ICAP plc (UK)
Rebecca MacDonald of Just Energy Group Inc. (Canada),
Rodrigo Alonso Herrera Aspra of Genomma Lab Internacional (Mexico)
Steve Case of America Online (US)

A full list of over 50 country winners competing this year is available at www.ey.com/weoy.
The World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award will be streamed live from Monte Carlo via webcast, allowing people globally to be part of the action. Coverage starts at approximately 21:45 local time (15:45 EDT in the US | 20:45 BST | 19:45 GMT).

Learn more at www.ey.com/weoy.

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About Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

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This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global Ernst & Young organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

© Press Release 2012