Ammon News - AMMONNEWS – Ernst & Young announced the launch of its Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 Award at the World Economic Forum’s “Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World”.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, on 23rd October, 2011, in the presence of Waddah Barkawi, Partner at Ernst & Young and Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Leader at Ernst & Young Jordan, Mohammad AI-Karaki, Partner at Ernst & Young and Dr. Amjad Aryan, Founder and CEO of Pharmacy1 and winner of the 2010 Ernst & Young Jordan Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.

The Award, which has been running for 25 years globally, celebrates people who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses. Today, it is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs spanning more than 140 cities across 50 countries. The Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 Award ceremony will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein in January, 2012.

“Entrepreneurship is a key driver for economic growth and this is the main reason behind our launch of Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for the second year in a row here in Jordan.

Economic progress is in fact achieved by people who are entrepreneurial and continuously look for opportunities to transform their ideas into economic opportunities. We believe that these business pioneers should be celebrated and the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award works on a global level to give entrepreneurs the recognition they deserve,” commented Barkawi.

Dr. Amjad Aryan, CEO of Pharmacy1, was named the 2010 Ernst & Young Jordan Entrepreneur Of The Year, while other competing finalists included: Dr. Amid Abdelnour, Founder of Biolab; Marwan Said, Founder of e-Points; Ammar Sajdi, General Manager of Realsoft; Abeer Qumsieh, Founder and General Manager of Better Business; Dr. Fadi and Dr. Mohammad Al-Atrash of API; Omar Koudsi and Laith Zraikat, Founders of Jeeran.com; Firas Otaibi, Mohammad Asfour and Wael Attili, Founders of Kharabeesh.com; and Mahmoud Khasawneh and Candide Kirk of Quirkat.

This year, Jordan’s Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 will introduce two categories, “Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year” represented by an entrepreneur who exemplifies the start-up process at its best and “Entrepreneur Of The Year” represented by an entrepreneur who has maintained professional success over a sustained period of time. The winner within the “Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year” category will become a role model for all emerging entrepreneurs in Jordan and the winner of the “Entrepreneur Of The Year” category will represent Jordan at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year event in Monte Carlo in June 2012.

To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be owners and founders of a business (not a subsidiary or division) that has been in operations for over two years, and who are primarily responsible for the company’s daily operations and success. For both categories, the company needs to have stable financing (revenue or finance backing), but in regards to the “Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year” category, the company does not necessarily have to be making a profit. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Self-nominations are encouraged and there is no fee to enter. Application forms can be obtained by sending an e-mail to JordanEOY.2011@jo.ey.com