Retail boss Mohammed Alshaya won the prestigious Businessman of the Year award at the Arabian Business Kuwait Awards on Monday night.
Held at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City, Alshaya was recognised for his outstanding business achievements over several years.
His retail empire MH Alshaya owns and operates more than 1,800 franchise stores in 15 countries and employs around 18,000 people from 60 nationalities.
The judges praised Alshaya’s investment of $40 million earlier this year into the new Mirdiff City Centre, which features 29 of his company’s brands.
Asked how he managed so much success, he told Arabian Business earlier this year: “Hard work and respect. Forget about your last name; be patient, gain credibility over time and learn how to become a professional. You are not privileged because you are a GCC citizen or because your country has oil. You have to do it on your own. You have to succeed on your own merit and compete.”
The ceremony featured 17 categories of awards, with Businesswoman of the Year going to Sheikha Hossa Al Sobah, Bank of the Year going to National Bank of Kuwait, Jazeera Airways winning Aviation Company of the Year, and a Special CSR Award made to Agility.
Full list of award winners:
Technology Company of the Year: ITS
Special CSR Award: Agility
Logistics Company of the Year: KGL Logistics
Investment Company of the Year: Noor Investment
Best Industrial Company: National Industries
Real Estate Development of the Year: The Mediterranean Investment Holding Company
Best in Aviation: Jazeera Airways
Hospitality Company of the Year: Bukhamseen Group
Telecom Company of the Year: VIVA
Businessman of the Year: Mohammed Abdul Aziz Alshaya
Businesswoman of the Year: Sheikha Hossa Al Sobah
Bank of the Year: National Bank of Kuwait
Retail Bank of the Year: Gulf Bank
Islamic Bank of the Year: Boubyan Bank
Retail Company of the Year: Tamdeen Real Estate
Company of the Year: KIPCO
Environment Award: Equilibrium Environmental Service Company
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