Top entrepreneur award to Chinese

Arrowtown businessman Michael Hill was unsuccessful in his bid for the title of World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo, presented at the weekend.

The title went to Fuyao Glass Industry Group chairman Cao Dewang, of China.

Fuyao Glass makes windscreens and other glass products for cars and commands a market share more than 50% in China.

The company is ranked fourth in the industry globally.

Mr Hill, the founder of Michael Hill International, represented New Zealand among winners from 50 other countries around the world, to meet the international independent panel of judges and to be inducted into the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame.

The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award director for New Zealand, Jon Hooper, said from Monte Carlo Mr Dewang was a deserving winner, who demonstrated all the qualities of leadership, vision and business acumen "one would expect from a world business leader".

"Attending the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monte Carlo is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with other incredible innovators and business leaders.

"It is Ernst and Young's opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate these talented and dynamic people who are contributing to the world economy and to society in so many ways," Mr Hooper said.

Entries are now open for New Zealand's 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, which will be announced at a banquet on October 22.