NEMIR Kirdar, founder and CEO of Investcorp, has been awarded the Prize of Tolerance by the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products, said Kirdar was presented with the prize at a ceremony in Frankfurt, Germany recently. The prestigious prize is presented by the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, which brings together over 1500 scientists and researchers, philosophers and artists from around the world, including 29 Nobel Prize winners. Prof. Dr. H.C. Felix Unger, co-founder and President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, said: “The Prize of Tolerance was established in 1997 to recognize individuals who actively strive to promote tolerance and mutual acceptance. We honor Mr Kirdar for his vision of promoting political, economic and social renewal in Iraq, the country of his birth. Mr Kirdar has also sought to promote cross-cultural understanding through his business activities. Investcorp, the business Mr Kirdar established in 1982, is a globally respected organization which acts as a bridge between surplus funds in the Gulf and non-traditional investment opportunities in the USA and Western Europe.” Delivering the citation, Lord Weidenfeld described Kirdar as “a leading figure among the international business elite where his general advice and specialist regional knowledge make him an influential counsel.” Accepting the prize, Kirdar said: “It is an honor to receive this award and to join the distinguished list of thought-leaders and global advocates of peace who have received this award in the past. I would also like to convey my gratitude to my Investcorp colleagues whose talents and hard work have been instrumental in turning Investcorp into a global institution.” — SG
