Oman's Maqbool Al Saleh named finalist for Ernst &Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year award

The finalists will be interviewed by an elite panel of independent judges during the three-day event at the Dead Sea, Jordan, from 27-29 November 2008. The event will culminate in a gala dinner and awards ceremony on 29 November, where the 2008 Middle East Entrepreneur of The Year winner will be announced.

Each of the finalists, a regional business leader in his or her own right, will be judged on the criteria of entrepreneurial sprit, strategic direction, national or global impact, innovation, and personal integrity and influence. The Middle East winner will go on to participate in the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, to be held at Monaco early next year.

"It is noteworthy that this year, the program has attracted such high caliber entrants, following on from the benchmark initial program held in 2007. Last year's winner, Samih Darwazah, Chairman of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, is universally recognized as an outstanding entrepreneur who has built a dynamic and successful business. Through the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, we hope to continue to recognize and encourage exceptional businesses in our region,"

said Fouad Alaeddin, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Middle East.

The program has been successfully conducted for over 22 years in 135 cities in over 50 countries and seeks to honour entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. It makes a difference by encouraging entrepreneurial activity and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.
This year, the sole broadcast sponsor for the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards is Al Arabiya TV, the sole print media sponsor is Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal, and the sole online sponsor is Zawya.com.