The EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2017 was won by Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of the Canadian-based AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.
Alfred Pisani, chairman of the Corinthia Group, represented Malta at the awards ceremony held in Monaco. Mr Pisani won the first edition of the EY Malta’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He was among 59 country winners from 49 countries vying for the world title.
Mr Al-Katib started AGT Food and Ingredients in 2003 and it has since grown into the world’s largest vertically integrated supply chain for lentils, chickpeas and peas. The business went public in 2007 and has revenues of $1.49 billion, with over 2,000 staff on five continents.
Using his capabilities to make a positive impact by feeding millions and educating refugee families
AGT Food and Ingredients has been growing revenue sustainably by an average of more than $100 million each year for the past five years. The company exports approximately 23 per cent of the world trade in lentils to more than 120 countries around the globe.
Mark Weinberger, EY global chairman and CEO, said: “Through his vision and approach, Murad has transformed an industry and leads a company that has seen exceptional growth. He also demonstrates a clear purpose by embodying compassionate entrepreneurship, using his capabilities to make a positive impact by feeding millions and educating refugee families. Murad’s success and passion make him an exemplary EY World Entrepreneur of The Year winner.”
Ronald Attard, managing partner, EY Malta, said: “We worked hard to put together the first edition of EY Malta’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. But I am glad to say the hard work was rewarded by the very healthy and representative response from very worthy candidates. Alfred Pisani did us proud. In Monaco he competed with entrepreneurial movers and shakers on a global level. The success of this initiative encourages us to keep taking this annual event to higher heights in the years to come.”
Mr Pisani said: “I was honoured to be Malta’s representative for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. It is always rewarding when Malta is given the opportunity to showcase the potential of its people and importance in the Mediterranean.
“The international gathering of every office of EY represented at this convention provided a wonderful networking opportunity and certainly showcased the global reach and expertise of EY.”