Khalid Faraj Al-Said, the managing director and general manager of International Turnkey Systems, has been named the ‘Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year’ by leading Pan-Arab business magazine, Arabian Business Arabic. The award is designed to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs on both a regional and global level who are leading growing businesses.

At the ceremony, Al-Said emphasized that the success of his company is attributable not just to him, but to all his employees. “It is an honor for me to receive this award, especially coming from one of the most respected business magazines in the region. I am fortunate to have been able to work with such hard-working, professional and motivated people. I am very proud of all our achievements.”

Enjoying a strong strategic, operational and leadership background for over 20 years in the areas of business management, Al-Said has been instrumental in rolling out several initiatives that positioned ITS as a leading integrated information technology solutions provider.

Since assuming the leadership of ITS in 1993, Al-Said propagated a culture of quality and customer service. He played a critical role in expanding ITS’ business realm to reach important sectors such as banking and finance, investment companies, communications and higher education.

Al-Said aims to achieve a 25 percent growth rate over the next full business cycle. Recently financial reports from ITS showed revenues of AED551 million for the first quarter of 2008 (ended September 30, 2007) an increase of 16 percent comparing to the results in 2006.

He has also played a significant role in establishing development centers in Egypt as well as  establishing three modern centers for in Jordan, the UAE and Pakistan. He also boosted the total number of employees at the company and its 19 subsidiaries to 2,000 professional employees.

“I would to thank everyone who made the Arabian Business Awards possible. I hope that such an event will inspire each of us to continue to reach for new successes and reach new horizons,” added Al- Said.