Sobhi Batterjee vies for Ernst and Young's World Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The award ceremony will be held on 31 May 2008 at Monte Carlo and the winner will be inducted into the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Academy.

Batterjee was selected as the second Ernst & Young Middle East Entrepreneur Of the Year (EOY) at an award ceremony held at the Dead Sea in Jordan on 30th November 2008. He was praised for his passion, hard work and persistence in creating a highly successful business in a short time. He has contributed immensely to raising the standard of healthcare in the region.

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

"Our drive to recognize and encourage entrepreneurship around the world helps in the exchange of ideas internationally. The success of the Middle East EOY program is a tribute to the vision, creativity and achievements of some of our region's greatest minds. Sobhi's story is proof that perseverance and commitment to a cause, such as healthcare provision, can build world class enterprises in the region."

Several new countries joined the Middle East EOY program in 2008 and more will join the 2009 program, due to launch this year in late June, with nominations being expected from, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq and the UAE.

Ernst &Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year program is now in its 23rd year globally and is in its second year in the Middle East. Its average winners have $350m or more in yearly revenues, 20% annual growth and over 1,000 employees. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, it celebrates those who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them in more than 135 cities in 50 countries from around the world.