DUBAI — The GCC’s best companies of the year have been announced at the prestigious MEED Awards 2017. MEED, the Middle East’s leading business intelligence provider, identified 25 regional and international companies as the best businesses in the GCC based on their contributions to the development of the region. Saudi Arabia took center stage three times with KPMG in Saudi Arabia winning Advisory Services Company of the Year, Dur Hospitality receiving the Hospitality Company of the Year award and Bahri emerging victorious in the Transport Company of the Year category. “It is incredibly important to recognize and celebrate the very best in the region,” said MEED editorial director Richard Thompson. “Our objective is to help the region realize its ambitions by bringing together the best in business and government in the region. The MEED Awards aims to shine a bright spotlight on the very best businesses in the region. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.” The UAE had 20 winners including individual honorees such as Male Leader of the Year Paddy Padmanathan, President & CEO, ACWA Power; and Rising Star of the Year Lachlan Jackson, Managing Director, Ecocoast Contracting LLC, which also received the Specialist Contractor of the Year honor. Corporate winners from the UAE whose impressive achievements contributed to a stronger GCC economy include Kohn Pedersen Fox (Architectural/Design Practice of the Year), Emirates National Oil Company (Business Innovation of the Year), Parsons (Consultant of the Year-Construction & Engineering), Multiplex Constructions (Contractor of the Year), Enviromena Power Systems (Energy Provider of the Year), Dubai Islamic Bank (Financial Institution of the Year), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (Freezone/Special Economic Zone Authority of the Year), Child Early Intervention Medical Centre (Healthcare Company of the Year), GE (Industrial Company of the Year), Al Tamimi & Company (Law Firm of the Year), Agility (Abu Dhabi) PJSC (Logistics Company of the Year), Dow Chemical IMEA GmbH (Manufacturer of the Year), ENGIE (Power/Water Company of the Year), ACWA Power (Renewables Company of the Year), Dulsco (Supplier of the Year), Bee'ah (Sustainable Business of the Year); and Baker Hughes, a GE company (Oil & Gas/Petrochemicals Company of the Year). Bahrain’s shining moment came when Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company SPC was awarded Real Estate Developer of the Year; while Kuwait’s Donna Sultan, CEO & President, KEO International Consultants took the spotlight when she won Female Leader of the Year. The winners were announced in ceremonies held at The Conrad Hotel, Dubai. — SG