Key names Indian liquor mogul Sir Ed fellow
Says Vijay Mallyaan an outstanding businessman with a great affection for New Zealand.
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Prime Minister John Key has announced Indian billionaire liquor mogul and parliamentarian Vijay Mallya will be the next recipient of the Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
Mr Key made the announcement in Mumbai today while on a four-day state visit to India.
The fellowship, a tribute to the special contribution Sir Ed made to New Zealand's bilateral relationships with India and Nepal, was first awarded last year to Indian parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Key said Mr Mallya was an outstanding businessman with a great affection for New Zealand.
"He is a worthy recipient of the fellowship and will be a great asset in strengthening the long-standing and friendly ties between the two countries," Mr Key said.
"I will be delighted to welcome Vijay Mallya to New Zealand as the Prime Minister's Fellow."
Mr Mallya is chairman of United Breweries Group and head of Kingfisher Airlines, which shares its name with the breweries' flagship beer brand Kingfisher.
He is also the owner of the Bangalore IPL cricket team that Daniel Vettori played for this year, the Formula One racing team Force India, and several Indian soccer teams.
Mr Mallya is worth $US1.4 billion ($NZ1.69b) and is ranked the 38th wealthiest person in India, according to business publication Forbes.
NZPA
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
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Key names Indian liquor mogul Sir Ed fellow
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