Dubai, May 3, 2016:  Mr. Paras Shahdadpuri, Chairman of Nikai Group of companies, has been honoured with the Distinguished Fellowship - 2016 award by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India. The coveted Fellowship award has been conferred upon Mr. Shahdadpuri in recognition of his constant contribution towards the growth and development of India-UAE economic and trade relations. 

The IOD is a 'not for profit' apex national association of corporate directors in India, and involved in training and mentoring boardroom leadership and sustainability initiatives, for better corporate governance. 

Ranked among the top Indian business leaders in the UAE, Mr. Paras Shahdadpuri has consistently delivered excellence and raised benchmarks in the region’s business world. The diplomat-turned-entrepreneur hailing from India is responsible for one of the most successful UAE-based enterprises in operation today, with its impact reaching far across the GCC. 

H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Culture presented the Fellowship award to Mr. Shahdadpuri at the 26th World Congress on 'Leadership for Business Excellence & Innovation', organized by the IOD-India recently at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai. Also present in the Award ceremony were Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of Institute of Directors-India’s UAE Chapter and Former Vice Chancellor of Higher Colleges of Technology – UAE; Lt Gen J S Ahluwalia, PVSM (Retd.) and President of IOD-India; and senior Emirati leaders and heads of major Indian businesses.  

The IOD-India organized the World Congress on 'Leadership for Business Excellence & Innovation' 2016 in the UAE under the theme ‘Empowering Boards to become Instruments of Innovation & Excellence’. This theme resonates the UAE’s efforts in transforming itself into an innovation-driven and growing economy. 

The UAE marked 2015 as the ‘Year of Innovation’ and leaders of the country pledged to direct its policies and initiatives in forging the UAE towards becoming one of the world’s most innovative nations. 

Commenting on receiving the prestigious Fellowship, Mr. Paras Shahdadpuri, said, “I take humble pride in this prestigious recognition, knowing that our best-practice and commitment to quality and business excellence are acknowledged. I am deeply grateful to them, and I consider this Fellowship as a testament to my humble efforts to ensure optimal level of innovation and excellence in business and trade relations between India and the UAE. The ‘Distinguished Fellowship’ award from the Indian Institute of Directors stands not only as a stamp on our success, but also as a continued assurance of our commitment towards excellence.” 

“I dedicate this award to my team of over 4000 employee-partners working in the UAE and other countries, as well as my stakeholders and well-wishers. Such recognitions are inspiration to me to continue raising the bar in business excellence, and in fact to help others achieve such accolades that support sustainable business ecosystem,” he added. 

Mr. Shahdadpuri further said, “It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of the UAE business community and to contribute to the growing economy of the country. The vision of the country’s leaders is commendable and we can see positive and timely growth in various sectors. I am sure the UAE will soon surpass some of the large economies in the world.” 

The Nikai Group has seen positive growth in the first quarter of 2016 through involvement of various innovative strategies and developments. The company has seen 5 per cent to 7 per cent improvement from the first quarter of 2015.