Yunus wins another award

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been picked up for the 2nd Global Entrepreneurship Award (GEA-2014), a Saudi Arabian English daily reported yesterday.

Yunus was selected for the award under the umbrella of the Centennial Fund (CF) chaired by Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's deputy minister of foreign affairs, said Arab News. The announcement was made by the secretary-general of the award, Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, who said the GEA-Award committee's decision was based on Yunus' distinguished efforts to highlight the culture of entrepreneurship.

The daily said Al-Mutairi did not disclose the names of the other winners.

Last year there were 18 winners from four countries — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen.

This year, 600 candidates from 42 countries had submitted their entries in six different categories for the best action plan, the best feasible project idea, the best pioneering project, the best mentor and guide, the best existing project and the best leading figure. Yunus won the award for the best leading figure, said the newspaper.

According to Al-Mutairi, the award under the name of Prince Abdulaziz is the first on a global level to honour outstanding entrepreneurs and also encourage pilot projects. The award aims to recognise distinguished works in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

Al-Mutairi, who is also the head of CF, said the awards presentation ceremony, will be held on November 3.

A large number of economists from across the world are expected to be present at the programme.

Prince Abdulaziz will give away the awards totaling SR1 million for the distinguished works.

“The launch of the award is a continuation of the efforts of the Kingdom's leadership that reflects Prince Abdulaziz's efforts to help young people realise their ambitions and shape their own future,” the daily quoted Al-Mutairi, as saying.

Al-Mutairi also underlined the role played by the international jury in all branches of the award and the integration of work with other committees that operate according to a plan of the CF's awards committee.