Eng. Mohammed Rashid Al Ballaa, founder and chairman of National Technology Group (NTG), was named “CEO of the Year - IT Sector” during the CEO Awards Saudi Arabia Gala Dinner held recently at the InterContinental Riyadh Hotel. The 2009 CEO Awards Saudi Arabia was the first local version of CEO Awards Middle East, which is recognized as the most prestigious annual awards event for CEOs and their companies in the region. Al Ballaa was recognized for his innovative and inspiring leadership, which has helped establish NTG as a successful multi-national information and communications technology (ICT) business. “I am truly honored to have received this award, which I dedicate to NTG's hard-working and creative team. The Kingdom's ICT sector continues to be a cornerstone for national growth, which is why I will continue to assist in its further development. I thank our partners and customers as well, for their warm support and patronage,” Al Ballaa said. The NTG head decided to enter the fledgling IT industry during the early 1980s, despite the lack of Arabic expertise in the field at that time and the greater popularity of the real estate sector. Under his leadership, NTG has become one of the Top 100 largest companies in Saudi Arabia with annual revenues exceeding SR 3 billion. NTG employs more than 2000 professionals and encompasses more than 20 specialized ICT businesses with direct and joint venture operations in the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and the US. Al Ballaa has founded several successful ICT companies based on NTG's success, such as Arabic Computer System Limited (ACS), Saudi Arabia's leading IT company; Arabsoft, a strategic alliance with Microsoft Arabia; Advanced Integrated Media (AIM), one of the largest ICT distributors in Saudi Arabia; NetAdvantage, the first specialised Internet Media House in the Arab World; and OneCard, the Arab World's first multi-function pre-paid card for online payments. Al Ballaa also manages companies involved in other fields, such as Mubasher, a full-fledged brokerage company with a solid regional and global presence. Mubasher is a pioneer and leader in the MENA region in online stock market, trading and investment services. He is also an active member of the E-commerce advisory committee to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as various other ICT organizations.
