By Francis Chan

SINGAPORE will be counting on a Frenchman to stop its losing streak at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of the Year (WEOY) awards next year.

A representative from the Republic has yet to win the prestigious world title that recognises entrepreneurial spirit.

But with Arnaud Vaissie flying Singapore's flag at the awards, to be held in Monte Carlo next year, the country is hoping that it might finally take its place on the winner's podium at WEOY 2010.

Mr Vaissie, chairman and chief executive of Singapore-based International SOS, earned the right to represent the Lion City last night by clinching the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2009 Singapore.

Winning the local leg of the awards means the Frenchman's next stop will be Monaco, where he will be up against 49 other country winners at the WEOY.

'I would like to share this award with my global team,' said Mr Vaissie, who co-founded the international emergency assistance firm here in 1985 with childhood friend Pascal Rey-Herme.

Started as AEA International, the company provides medical and security assistance to clients and travellers around the the world. The firm was renamed International SOS in 1998 and now employs about 6,000 people in over 70 countries.

Although he remains a citizen of France - and shuttles between London and the Republic - Mr Vaissie calls Singapore home for both International SOS and his family.

'My three children were born here,' he said, referring to son Antoine, 23, daughter Coralie, 21, and youngest son Maxim, 17.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua - the award's guest of honour - commended entrepreneurs like Mr Vaissie for their resilience in achieving success against 'a challenging economic backdrop'.

Mrs Lim said that entrepreneurship played a pivotal role in Singapore's economic growth and the Government will continue to look at ways to create a more conducive environment for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to grow into globally competitive firms.

'Some of the areas that the (Economic Strategies) subcommittee is looking at include improving access to financing, and strengthening the ability of SMEs to manage their businesses professionally as they grow,' added Mrs Lim.

According to Ernst & Young Singapore country managing partner Steven Phan, Mr Vaissie's decision to make Singapore the firm's corporate headquarters reaffirms the nation's attractiveness as a pro-enterprise economy where firms can start, grow and anchor themselves.

Mrs Lim took the opportunity to share with guests last night the three strategic thrusts by the Committee to Develop the Accountancy Sector.

They include positioning Singapore as a leading centre for accountancy talent, thought leadership and professional development; developing high value-adding professional services here; and strengthening the sector's infrastructure.

'I am confident that with perseverance, a never-say-die attitude, and the high-quality support from our competent and qualified local accountants, our enterprises will be able to rise to even greater heights,' said Mrs Lim.

Ernst & Young presented two other awards for entrepreneurial excellence in international health care and natural resources last night.

The EOY award for natural resources went to Straits Asia Resources CEO Richard Ong, while Mr Vaissie also won for international healthcare.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.