HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Honours Young Business Leaders
18 Awards Presented to Mark Entrepreneurial Excellence

Dubai, UAE: 23 April 2007 - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, today honoured several local and Arab entrepreneurs.

A total of 18 awards, including six in special categories, were presented to the winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Awards for Young Business Leaders at a gala ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Center.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of the Board of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders attended the event. A large number of dignitaries, top government officials and prominent businesspersons also witnessed the ceremony.

In the special awards category, the Ministry of Labour and Emirates Group were chosen as best federal and local government bodies respectively which supported the Government Procurement Program. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group, and H.E. Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, Minister for Labour, received the awards.

The 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award' was given to Mohammed Saeed Harib, creator of the UAE's first cartoon show "Freej". 'Best Business Leader Award (Male)' was won by Eng. Monther Darwish of "MD Interior Design", while the 'Best Business Leader Award (Female)' went to Hamda Harizi, from "Black Pearl International".

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also honoured five local bodies that were awarded special mentions for their dedication and support to the local SME sector. The five honoured entities are: Dubai Development Board, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Shopping Festival, Arab Media Group, and Dubai Industrial City.

In his opening address, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "Since its inception in 2002, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders has successfully launched a series of important initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities of local entrepreneurs and promoting their competitiveness."

"The awards program tops these initiatives which ultimately seek to increase the participation of UAE nationals in the overall economic development."

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan also stressed that despite achievements made in this area, more effort is still needed in order to fulfil the expectations and targets we have set for the future.

"The UAE government's unstinting support to small and start-up businesses should be met with unequivocal commitment from the local entrepreneurs to excel and lead by example.

"The UAE Government Strategy and Dubai Strategic Plan (2015) placed a significant emphasis on the small and medium businesses. Greater attention needs to be given to entrepreneurship locally and obstacles facing start up projects will have to be overcome,” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan added.

• Best Arab Start-Up Business (Male) was won by Ebdah Askar and his project "The Horse Hospital", Kuwait.
• Best Manufacturing Business was won by Mubarak Ahmad Al Ali, AL Itqan Carpentry & Decoration.
• Best IT Business was won by Atif Karrani, Mobile Ware.
• Best Tourism Business was won by Naeema Al Amiri, Oyoon Al Maha 
• Best Health & Well-Care Business was won by Saad Ebrahim Abbas, International Business Consult for Health and Medical
• Best Service Business was won by Sami Al Najjar, Eurotech Auto Maintenance Centre
• Best Marketing & Promotion Business was won by Mohammed Al Meeza, O2 Marketing Communication
• Best Design Business was won by Eng. Monther Darwish, MD Interior Design
• Best Retail Business was won by Hamda Harizi, Black Pearl International
• Best Food and Beverage was won by Tariq Al Jaberi, China Wall Restaurant
• Best Business Leader (Male) was won by Eng. Monther Darwish
• Best Business Leader (Female) was won by Hamda Harizi