(MENAFN- Arab News) Alkhobar-based Eram Group's Chairman and Managing Director Siddeek Ahmed was among the Top 20 Indian business leaders who were honored by Forbes Middle East during an award ceremony in Dubai recently considering their outstanding contributions to Arab economies.
Speaking to Arab News after attending the event Ahmed said: 'I thank God for this big achievement and I would like to dedicate this international recognition to all employees of Eram/ITL Group as I believe that they represent the driving force behind our progress.'
Ahmed who is a dynamic and accomplished business tycoon with investments in Saudi Arabia UAE Bahrain Qatar Kuwait India UK Italy Korea Malaysia and Turkey has won 16th position.
He received the Forbes award from Nasser bin Aqeel Al-Tayyar president of Arab Publisher House.
Forbes Middle East held the ceremony to celebrate and acknowledge the top Indian business leaders in the Arab world.
T. P. Seetharam ambassador of India to the UAE attended the event.
'I take pride in being a part of this prestigious event' Seetharam said.
'One must earn with integrity and spend with compassion and each of the leaders present here epitomizes this wise expression very well' he added.
This year's lineup includes 100 Indian business owners and founders as well as 50 C-level executives many of whom have reached great heights from the shores of the UAE.
In the owners and founders category 90 out of the 100 entries reside in the UAE with five also based in Kuwait and the remaining three business leaders residing in Saudi Arabia Bahrain and Qatar.
'This is the third consecutive year that we are hosting this great event and the return of many familiar faces along with a number of newcomers attests not just to the Indian legacy in the Arab world but its great potential for the future' said Khuloud Al-Omian editor-in-chief Forbes Middle East and vice-president of Arab Publisher House.
Ahmed's employees and friends have congratulated him for winning the Forbes' award. Being a philanthropist Ahmed supports several charity initiatives in partnership with governments trusts NGOs and individuals.
The Eram Group is the controlling entity of a number of leading businesses in industrial contracting project management solutions automotive health care travel IT manufacturing power electronics trading product representation and other services.