Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Honours "The Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2006"

Rafiq Hariri awarded for his outstanding contribution to Middle East development

UAE, December 10^th 2006

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the "Arabian Business Achievement Awards" grand ceremony took place last night at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi to award the region's leaders and organisations in recognition of their outstanding achievement across various vertical markets. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Planning & Economy of Abu Dhabi, presented the awards on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The ceremony was marked by awarding the late Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, for his outstanding contribution to the Middle East's development.

The Arabian Business Achievement Awards, now in its 6^th consecutive year, is organised by leading regional publisher, ITP's Arabian Business magazine to present its annual awards to 13 organizations and leaders for their outstanding achievements in the year 2006. The awards acknowledged several distinguished pioneers from through out the region amongst which were Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, CEO of Damas, who was presented with the "Business Man of the Year" award and Dr. Nahed Taher, CEO of Gulf One Investment Bank, who was awarded the " Business Woman of the year".

The late Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, had played a vital role in establishing stability and civil security in Lebanon.  He also played a major role in the establishment of Al Taef Agreement, which resuscitated the political life of the country after the Civil war. As for Damas Group, it has gone global with Mr. Tawhid Abdullah driving one of the most important jewelry companies in the world.  Dr. Nahed Al Taher, on the other hand, is the first Arabian lady to occupy such a significant position in the financial world of the Middle East and she is considered to be one of the most influential business women in the Arab World.

This year's awards are selected by a prestigious panel of judges who are representatives of some of the region's leading local and international businesses. Following extensive evaluation and consultation sessions, the committee selected the following winners for each category:

- Businessman of the Year: Mr. Tawid Abudullah, CEO of Damas

- Businesswoman of the Year: Dr Nahed Taher, CEO of Gulf One Investment Bank

- Entrepreneur of the Year:  Mowafaq Al Gaddah , MAG Group

- Small Business of the Year: Patchi Chocolates           

- Social Responsibility of the Year: Abdul Latif Jamil Technology Fund,  

- Property Company of the Year: Emaar

- Financial Institution of the Year: Mubadala Development   

- Bank of the Year: Gulf Finance House

- IT Company of the Year: Microsoft                 

- Telecom Company of the Year: Nokia

- Retail Company of the Year: M.H. Alshaya. Co.

- Manufacturing Company of the Year: Aujan

- Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Middle East Development: Late Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri

The Arabian Business Achievement Awards grand ceremony, sponsored by Etisalat, Al Qudra, Islamic Investment Bank of Qatar and Sorouh, marked its sixth consecutive year of success in honoring some of the most influential figures and organizations in the region. It has become a traditional annual ceremony anticipated by the regional business sector in recognition of the most important business achievements.

Some of the most important "Arabian Business" winners in the past years include His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defense, His Highness King Abdullah II of Jordan, His Highness King Mohammed VI of Morroco, His Highness Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, and the Egyptian Prime Minister Mohameed Nazif.

-Ends- 

About ITP
ITP is the largest business and consumer magazine publisher in the Middle East, with a wide range of market-leading titles covering almost all major areas of interest, coupled with a successful online business. ITP Consulting is the leading high-end recruitment and executive search company in the UAE. ITP Events organises business and technology seminars, roadshows and conferences and provides tailored event management services for corporate clients. The group's new market development and investment division, ITP Ventures, has launched its first business, Spectrum, and is set to launch a number of business ventures designed to deepen and strengthen the company's retail reach.

© Press Release 2006