Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin, has been named as one of 10 recipients of the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2014, making him the first Irish person living in the UAE to be recognised by the Irish government for his contribution to Irish business and communities abroad.

 

The awards were introduced in 2012 with the aim of recognising the Irish abroad who have given sustained service in areas such as business, education, community, arts and culture, sport, charitable works and peace. McLoughlin has been nominated in the Business & Education category.

 

Announcing the 10 recipients yesterday, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan (below) noted: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these remarkable people for what they have individually contributed to Ireland, to the Irish abroad and our international reputation.”

 

Following the news of his nomination, McLoughlin said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be selected for this award. Although it is designated as a personal award, I recognise that it belongs equally to many Irish people in the UAE, both past and present, who have supported the Irish community here. I am also delighted that the UAE is being recognized in this way.”

 

Irish President, Michael D. Higgins will present the 10 awardees at an official ceremony to be held later this month at Aras an Uchtarain, the official presidential residence in Dublin.

 

Colm McLoughlin arrived in Dubai in July 1983 as part of 10-man team from Aer Rianta, the Irish airport authority, to establish Dubai Duty Free on behalf of the Government of Dubai. He remained on as head of the operation and has been the driving force in building DDF into a $1.8bn business.

 

Minister Jimmy Deenihan, the newly appointed Minister for Diaspora Affairs, comments: “The nominations are made in different categories, but there is enormous overlap. For example, Colm McLoughlin is deservedly nominated for his business successes, and using that success to support Ireland’s reputation; but he is equally an unstinting supporter of the Irish community in Dubai.”

 

The Irish Ambassador to the UAE, Patrick Hennessy, adds: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Colm McLoughlin, who is the first Irish person in the UAE to receive this award. Colm has been hugely important in helping to increase business ties between the UAE and Ireland and has always been readily available to visiting delegations.”