Indian-origin businessman honoured for public service in Singapore

An Indian-origin businessman has been honoured for his commendable public service in Singapore, a media report said on Sunday.

Gautam Banerjee, senior managing director at Blackstone and co-chairman of its Asia operating committee, as well as chairman of Blackstone Singapore, was awarded the prestigious Public Service Medal by President Tony Tan Keng Yam on Saturday, AsiaOne online reported.

Having left Mumbai at the age of 16, Banerjee worked with leading financial firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for more than 30 years, with nine years as its executive chairman, until his retirement in December 2012.

Once nominated a member of parliament in Singapore, Banerjee currently serves on the board of Singapore Airlines Limited, the Indian Hotels Company Limited and is the vice chairman of the Singapore Business Federation.

He is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).

"Their strong support has led to the development of new capabilities in their respective sectors, and created exciting job opportunities for Singaporeans," Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) chairman Beh Swan Gin said in a statement.