The KEBE Business Leader Awards were awarded at an event held at the Parklane Resort in Limassol, on Friday, October 11th, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and numerous representatives of the business community.

The aim of the KEBE Business Leader Awards is to promote and honor the Cypriot entrepreneurs who have excelled and earned the respect of their competitors, employees and the wider business community, through their dynamism, innovation, forward-thinking, and knowledge.

A total of nine awards were given in this year’s ceremony for the following categories: The KEBE Business Leader Award for the Agriculture Sector, was presented to George Tsappis, founder and CEO of Isorropimene Zootrophe Ltd. For the Manufacturing Sector, to Panayiotis Papafilipou, General Manager of P&P Ice Cream Group. For the Trade Sector, to Iacovos Photiades, CEO of IPH Photiades Foodstuff Suppliers Ltd. For the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Sector, to Costakiss Loizou, Executive Chairman of Louis Group. For the Shipping Sector, to Riginos Tsanos, Chairman of RPT Group. For the Services Sector, to George Vassilopoulos, Executive Chairman, Aris Vassilopoulos, Executive Director and Petros Vassilopoulos, Director of G.A.P. Vassilopoulos Group. For the Construction, Property and Real Estate Sector, to Michalis Zavos, CEO of D. Zavos Group. For the Financial and Professional Services Sector, to Demetra Kalogirou, Chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Honorary EY Award was given to George David, Chairman Emeritus of Coca-Cola 3E.

Addressing the event, and after congratulating the winners, Stavros Pantzaris, Country Managing Partner of EY Cyprus, stated: "Excellence, as we at EY understand it, goes beyond financial results, the bottom line, growth rates, stock performance, or market share. It is based on much more important concepts such as vision, perseverance, creativity, integrity, corporate governance, social responsibility. Ultimately, excellence is the contribution to the country's development, employment, extroversion and prosperity for all of us. It is our duty to recognize and reward excellence, because these entrepreneurs must serve as role models for all."